Daily Thrifty Tips - May 25, 2007

I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. We are taking Monday off so the next issue will be on Tuesday.

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Hummingbird Nest

Always have a swarm of hummingbirds, every year they return the first week of May. Last year quite a few seemed to congregate around a row of "rose of sharons". It wasn't until clipping the bushes did I realize why. I accidentally clipped a nest they had in the bushes. Now I know what they look like.

By Peggy from Cortland, OH

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Home Sweet Home Frame

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Homemade Piecrust Protector Ring

An inexpensive (and easy) way to protect your pie crust from burning is this: Lay a large sheet of aluminum foil over the pie plate you plan to use. Press down lightly to form an indentation of the plate into the foil. Remove and cut around the outline, discarding leftover foil. This ring should fit perfectly over the crust, preventing it from burning during the baking process. Simply tuck overhanging foil under the lip of the pie plate to secure. Happy baking!

By April from Albany, GA

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Nautical Wedding Shower

Here are some photos of my son's Nautical Wedding Shower. He is getting married on Cape Cod in June.

By Jackie From Norton, MA

Editor's Note: Here are previous posts from Jackie with preparations for this shower and the June wedding.

• Wedding Shower Collage
• Nautical Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Centerpieces

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Precious (Chihuahua) at 10 months

Precious is a 10 month old Chihuahua. My husband bought me this dog when she was 11 weeks old to replace my other dog (Little Girl) that got killed. I had put a photo of Little Girl here on ThriftyFun! Precious is a little nut case. She will pick on me like punching me with her nose and taking off running down the hall and back,on the couch off again just as fast as she can! She likes to get her clothes on and go to the doctor office with me and my hubby. While I am in there, my hubby and her play and walk around the doctor's office. She is very good about not barking or trying to bite people unless they try to touch my husband or I!

By Dar from Texas

Editors Note: Here is Precious as a puppy

• Precious (Chihuahua)

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Tin Pail of Apples Decoration

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Firm Training For Your Pit Bull

Concerning the training of "pit bulls" and other stubborn/aggressive breeds: If you've rescued a pit bull (or any terrier breed), it's very important to recognize this dynamic animal's character. They were genetically designed to be robust, strong and ruthless in the execution of their intended duties. From the Jack-Russel and the American Staff (pit bull) to the seemingly "cute" long and short terrier breeds, you have a natural born killer on your hands.

When training these dogs, it is paramount that you remain absolutely ruthless in your own right! They need to know who's the boss from the get-go. However difficult, it is necessary to be very stern with your cute little puppy. A loud "NO!", combined with a decisive but gentle pat on the rear end, goes a long way in establishing your dominance.

Don't even think about being violent with your new friend because 1.) it's cruel, 2.) it will create behavior issues down the road!, and heck! this is your little buddy we're talkin about here! The key is to establish yourself as the alpha male/female at a very early stage of your pet's development. I know it's hard, but it's imperative for the sake of the pet's mental health as well as your own. In saying that, it's equally important to offer love in ridiculous quantities the rest of the time (very easy).

By jhorn from Vancouver, B.C.

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Household Chemicals For Pool Maintenance

For pool maintenance, you can use these generic household chemicals to replace most of the pool store ones.

• Baking soda is the same thing as pool store total alkalinity increaser (sodium bicarbonate or the more proper sodium hydrogen carbonate). 1.5 lbs per 10,000 gallons of pool water will increase total alkalinity by 10ppm.
• Household bleach (sodium hypochlorite) can be used to shock the pool. This is especially important if you don't want to deal with calcium precipitation (especially in hard water). 1/2 gallon of household bleach (non scented) per 10,000 gallons of pool water will increase the chlorine level by 5ppm.
• Muriatic acid can be used to lower the total alkalinity of a pool. You can find this in almost all hardware stores and it's sold as a cleaner. 1.3 pints per 10,000 gallons of pool water will decrease the total alkalinity by 10ppm.
• Borax (yes, the stuff in the green box in the laundry isle) can be used to buffer the pH and raise it. 1/2 cup per 10,000 gallons will increase your pH. How much depends on quite a few factors so you will have to adjust according to the results you receive in your particular pool.

By Rob from Gig Harbor, WA

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Wait One Month For Holiday Clearance

Always shop in clearance sections a month after a holiday for the next year's holiday. For example it's May and Easter stuff is really cheap, usually 70% to 90% off. I do this for most holidays.

By Carol from Massachusetts

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My Daughter's Well Deserved Graduation

My daughter has put in 13 years of hard work in school and received many awards. Here are some of her high school ones: National Honors Society, placed top 10 all 4 years, Student of the Month in Sophomore year, received awards all 4 years, Honor Roll, perfect attendance as a Senior, also received 3 scholarships and a grant. She has been involved in after school activities (newspaper, SADD, President of Student Council, tutored, etc.). She has also been volunteering at our church: CCD teacher's aid for 3 years, in the Youth Group, helping at a homeless shelter, House of Hope (for battered women and their children) and other fund raisers for the church as well as Sacraments (baptism, reconciliation, First communion).

I'm very proud of my daughter in all that she has done. All she has asked of me was to let her have a graduation party with my family. Yet I couldn't afford to do this. So I got together with my sisters and mother asking if, instead of giving my daughter a graduation gift, they would each make a buffet dish so that we all could let my daughter have her graduation party. Having the great family that I have, they said yes. So she gets to have her party with the family that I couldn't give by myself. Sometimes it's worth it to put your pride aside and ask for help. Great ending!

LRP from LWL, MA

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Non Adhesive Liner In Cabinets

I put non adhesive shelf liner on shelves, especially in medicine cabinet and cabinets where I store kitchen glasses. This helps keep wooden cabinets from bubbling if items are put in with water on them. Also easy to wipe clean and now that they have the shelf liner that doesn't stick, it's great. I also it put under sink as that is where a leak can happen. This will save cabinet from water damage and since I keep all my household cleaners there, it keeps it clean if they drip.

By Carol from Massachusetts

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Use A Projector to Make a Mural in a Child's Room

Run out of ideas to decorate your child's room? Here's my tip. Find out what is their favorite show or book and paint a mural on the wall in their room. Super easy. Buy a inexpensive projector from Michaels ($75 dollars) and project their favorite picture on the wall. Trace the outline of the picture, detailing everything that you want to paint. You don't have to be experienced painter either, it's like color by number. After you traced the image on the wall, paint with acrylic paints. Simple and original. We have Star Wars, Thomas the Train, Barnyard animals and Spongebob Squarepants. Great details can be done in one day. You'll have the most original bedroom in the neighborhood!

By Kerry from Flat Rock, MI

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Protecting Silk Flower Arrangements for Gravesites

With Memorial Day soon approaching, I wanted to share this tip for silk flower arrangements. Spray with a couple coats of WD-40 to help repel water from rain and sprinklers, and to protect silk flowers' colors from fading due to sunlight. After spraying with WD-40, the silk flowers or greenery will stay beautiful and vibrant for a longer period of time while placed near your loved one's grave. By Laura from Michigan

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"Books I Have Read in My Lifetime"

Recently as part of some estate work, I arranged for the removal of the contents of the deceased person's home library (she was an avid reader). There was a Journal at the end of the book shelf and when I opened it, it read "THE BOOKS I HAVE READ IN MY LIFETIME". The inception date was 1933; the entries were: date started, date completed, title of book, author, comments. It made me think, how many of us have recorded every book we have ever read? What a legacy to leave behind.

By VLHG

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Easy Theme Birthday Cakes

For birthday cakes, ice cream or regular, I use a theme napkin and put on the top of the cake. Then I outline the napkin or part of the napkin with piped icing. It looks like a movie premier sheet. The kids love it and you get the true picture!

By Kelli Hermsen

Editor's Note: What an easy way to create a themed cake. Just be sure to tell the kids not to eat the napkin. :-)

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Memorial in the Garden - Heart and Tear Shaped Flower Beds

If you have a special person or pet you want to honor or remember, here is a design that I did in my garden. I made a heart design and a tear design by digging up the grass and making a flower garden and a shrub garden to honor someone special. It is in the shape of a heart and has a hemlock tree planted in it for the special person. Also I planted roses and flowers in the tear shape garden when I was sad. This also helps to deal with your sadness. You also have somewhere you can go and meditate.

By Mary Jane

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Painted Memorial Rock For Garden

Our son died in October and we made a small sitting area with a small maple tree, rock, monkey grass, and ceramics he had in his yard that we brought home. I painted a rock with a sweet saying in his memory - my first effort using acrylic paint and got instructions off the web. I plan to paint more.

By Granny Annie

(The text says: Eddie, If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven, and bring you home again.)

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Cart for Hauling Laundry to the Laundromat When Disabled

I am a single Mom of 3 teenagers living on a limited disability income. My problem is that my laundry washing machine went out and I had a very nice repair man look at it and said there was no way to fix it without it getting really expensive. I can not afford to even buy a used one. I now go to the local laundromat. My problem is that I can not carry in my baskets in so I pull them in using my cane. Which it gets really hard to do since I need to use the cane to walk. I have tied a belt to them but the basket ends up breaking up.

I am looking for any ideas to make my own laundry cart that can fold up so it can fit in your car. I have looked at the ones in the stores and they are not large enough to hold 5 baskets of laundry, measuring 24in. by 18in., and be able to fold up. I do not have the tools to make my own but I do have a friend who is willing to build me one if I can find some instructions on how to build your own cart. I hope that someone knows how to be able to build one that is easy to fold up and easy to assemble. Any ideas are really appreciated . Thank you for your help on this and also for all the great ideas, tips and recipes on this web site.

Norma from San Antonio,Texas

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Using Liquid Potpourri in Laundry Detergent

Can I use liquid potpourri instead of essential oil as scent when I make my homemade liquid laundry detergent?

Donna

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Pizza Dough Freezer Recipe

I am looking for a pizza dough recipe. We like thin pizza and would like to make pizzas up in advance and freeze them. Any recipes that you'd like to share?

Thanks,
Mindy

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Starting a Website for My Neighborhood

I have been reading about community and one of the ways I thought I might inspire more in my neighborhood would be to create a website for us all. Perhaps to have a classified section, a trading/bartering post, maybe some stories about the early days (it was built in the late 50's) from some of the original homeowners. etc.

I was curious if anyone had tips for ideas or what NOT to do. I thought maybe posting addresses and names might be bad or phone numbers. In this age of identity theft I want to protect people but I also want to make it personable.

Open to all comments!

Thanks,
Robin from Marietta, GA

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Blooming Glads

My glads have blooms and are drying out, will they continue to bloom until the fall, or should they be dug up now, or should I just cut the bloom at this time?

Hardiness Zone: 9b

Gwen from BATON ROUGE, LA

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What's the Name of This Bloom

I planted an new garden last fall, and this spring some new flowers have came up. I am really very good with types of plants but this one I just can't find a name. Does anyone know the name of this bloom? Thanks.

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Tracy from Battle Creek

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My Clothes Dryer Door Won't Stay Shut

I have a gas front loading clothes dryer, and the door or latch is not keeping the dryer closed. it will go fine awhile, then I suspect clothes bump into it and pop it open.

I was so proud of myself, I used those stick on oven latches that you use for child safety, and that worked for awhile. I sometimes can tape the door shut, so this is just barely popping open, stays in place, just opens a crack and stops the dryer. But I can't tell you how disruptive this is, I'm in school full time, two children, so money is tight. I can't replace the dryer. I'm very good at doing things myself.

Anyone have any suggestions?

MAnne from CA

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Stressed Weeping Willow

I have a large weeping willow on a sloping area in the back yard. It has a number of dead branches and not a lot of new foliage. It looks stressed. Aside from pruning is there anything I can do? How often should I be watering it?

Hardiness Zone: 9b

Silvia Hutchins from Camarillo, CA

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I Need Help Burning CDs

I purchased Music Match Plus a few weeks ago. I had no trouble burning CDs. Now I get a message saying theres no disk in the drive. This happens when I try to burn a new CD. I have contacted Music Match and did what they said to do, nothing helped. Can anyone help me. I have a Dell running XP.

Thanks to anyone who can help me.
Shonda from Grand Rivers, KY

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Making Sprouts With a Sprouter Kit

I recently bought a second-hand seed sprouter kit, comprising of two plastic ridged trays and a lid, plus a bottom plastic tray. Unfortunately, there are no instructions listed on the box or a leaflet inside. I was wondering if anyone knew of an online site that showed how these work, or even could give me instructions on how I sprout seeds in it.

Cathy from Townsville, Queensland

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Taxes on a Thrift Savings Plan

I'm a 100% disabled veteran and want to withdraw my thrift savings money from my government job that I'm now retired from. Do I have to give 20% to taxes or am i exempt? What should I do?

MICHELLE from Baltimore, MD

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Slow Growing Flower

What is a slow growing flower, annual, that doesn't get to high in height for the front of a headstone? Thanks!

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Judy from OH

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Taking Big Pills

How do you take pills that are as big as a baseball? (Well, okay, not that big, but big enough.) I have to take a certain pill every day, (Actually, 3 of them a day) and each one is HUGE! Any advice? Thanks!

Stacey from Orem, UT

P.S. I've tried to break them up, they just seem to stick in my throat and I nearly choke on the pieces!

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Fading Jeans

I would like to fade a jean jacket but I do not use bleach. I've looked for the RIT fabric fader but I can't find it. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Mindy from Oregon

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Cleaning a Pop-up Camper

My husband and I just bought a used pop-up camper. It's in OK shape but needs to be cleaned badly. I wasn't sure what was safe and not safe to use on it or what I should look for to keep it clean and smelling good especially?

Chrissy from Detroit, MI

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When is the best time to transplant Lilac Bushes?

When is the best time to transplant Lilac Bushes? These are young small bushes.

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Doris from Reedsville, WI

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Stains on My Cuffs

I wear long sleve blouses that are 55% cotton and 45% polyester and the bottom of the cuffs are always getting stains on them that I cannot get out. Does anyone know if there is anything that will get them out?

Thank you for your help,
Vicky from Canadensis, PA

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Moisturizer for Dry Hair and Split Ends

I am looking for a moisturizer for dry hair and split end treatment.

Christina from Jacksonville, TX

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Making Rock Planters

Lately I have seen planters that look like rocks with a hole in it for the plant. They are rather costly but I think I've figured out how to make them EXCEPT for one thing that I'm hoping some can help me with.

They are made of concrete but are fairly light weight. They seem to have something mixed with the concrete, looks like styrofoam beads or the like. Any suggestions what it might be and where one can buy it? If -no- WHEN I get it figured out completely I will share with you. Thanks!

Donna from Dayton, Ohio

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No-Fat White Sauce

I remember having a recipe once for a no fat white sauce. Does anyone have that recipe? It was great because you could use it with vegetables or fish, etc. Thank you in advance!

Pat from Ajax

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Recipes for Yorkshire Terriers

I am looking for homemade dog food recipes for Yorkshire Terriers.

Gordon from Union City, NJ

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Recipes Using Blueberries

I have several quarts of fresh blueberries. While we love to eat them as they are, we'll never eat that many before they go bad. I would really appreciate recipes and ideas. Thanks!

Jaye from Ft. Myers

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Removing Candle Wax from Carpet

I am at work right now and I had a new candle (in a jar) sitting next to my space heater on the floor acting as a candle heater. I just picked up the candle off the floor and found a TON of wax right next to the heater all over the carpet.

I don't have an iron here, so what's another method to get this out?

Mel

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