Daily Thrifty Tips - August 3, 2006

Free Photo Organizer From Google

"Picasa is software that helps you instantly find, edit and share all the pictures on your PC. Every time you open Picasa, it automatically locates all your pictures (even ones you forgot you had) and sorts them into visual albums organized by date with folder names you will recognize. You can drag and drop to arrange your albums and make labels to create new groups. Picasa makes sure your pictures are always organized."

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Planting wildflowers under a tree really puts that extra punch to your yard, especially if you live in Arizona. I planted seeds in the spring and I still have a few daisy flowers growing, even in 113 degrees. Yes, flowers do grow in Arizona, all they need is water and TLC.

By Gayle from Queen Creek, AZ.

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This is my Grand-Daughter Rebecca with my Daughter Kelly on a recent outing with her Mom and Dad at the rodeo in Colorado. She will be 2 on August 3rd.

By Penny from Ipava

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Here's a unique way to use your solar lights. They aren't just for the ground!

We took 2x4 and cut them into squares to fit the original existing posts. Using galvanized screws - Not nails - Screw a "L" bracket to the underneath base. Then on top, screw on the stake. Screw the whole block to the existing post. I then stained the block with Superdeck Redwood to match the fence.

It's really nice at night. It's nice to have lights up high, it really gives a romantic glow to our yard.

By Jennifer In CA

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This woody hibiscus was literally "plucked" from the side of the road. My husband was on a road call for his company - he is diesel mechanic - he spotted these plants growing on the side of the road in a ditch. He brought it home and I rooted it and planted it in a pot. This is the first year it has bloomed. We enjoy it and it is special to me because my husband "picked" it for me and brought it home. It attracts red throated hummingbirds and that is a joy to watch the hummingbirds feeding in the beautiful pink blooms

By WandaJo from Collierville, Tennessee

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I discovered this after I wasted 30 dollars on a heated eyelash curler that didn't even work.

I heat my regular (metal) eyelash curler with my blowdryer for about 10 seconds on high. I then test it for temperature before I curl each lash. My lashes stay curled all day long!

By Kathie from So. Portland ME

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I often have my grandson at my house. Being a toddler, he is a picky eater. I came up with this idea when we were reading a book called "Eating a Rainbow", which was a book to help learn colors. When Joshua eats a meal with us, I try to fit in at least three foods with different colors. Breakfast might be red strawberries, yellow eggs, and orange juice. Lunch might have blueberry muffins, red tomato soup, and yellow grilled cheese sandwiches. We have fun together thinking of ways to make our meals more colorful and eat a rainbow. He is much more willing to try new foods this way and eat healthier.

By Bobbie G from Rockwall, TX

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For low cost wedding decorations, visit your local Dollar Tree. Dollar Tree has hundreds of decorative items that you can purchase for your wedding for only a dollar or under. Dollar Tree sells similar items found at retail stores for 75% less. So get moving to Dollar Tree.

By Sharon Pierce from McGehee,AR

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This Link offers Free Software that can be used to make hats, shawls, bags, and slippers. It's great. The sewing instructions are included with it and it's all free. Even the other software that you can purchase is a good deal because you can use it over and over to make clothes that fit precisely your body or whomever you are sewing for. I even made my daughter's wedding dress with them and they were a real lifesaver. The link is:

http://www.wildginger.com/products/wildthings.htm

By Kelly Thompson from Mission, TX

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When choosing a cantaloupe or mush melon as my Papaw used to say, search for one by sniffing the fruit. If it has a sweet, musky smell, it'll be a good fruit.

By Terri from NV

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I have really gotten into sewing purses in the last year or so. I use a lot of the Barbara Randle crazy quilting patterns. They call for a lot of embellishments. Just like having a fabric stash, I have a stash of various embellishments. Here are some storage ideas for these items.

I keep fancy yarns and the furry beaded trims in plastic stackable boxes or drawers. Any beaded fringe, I separate into the proper size zip lock bag and keep them in a plastic shoe box (that way they won't get tangled up with each other and can easily be seen). Once I have cut my strips of fabric for a purse, I place the strips in one of those plastic meat trays with the high sides so everything is in one location while I'm putting the purse together.

By Judy from Birmingham, Al.

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Save decorative items from your wedding for use at your first anniversary party! We packed away the tulle, the angels and other items and are now re-configuring them for our anniversary. We are also playing the wedding CD on a TV for the party!

By Pam from L.A., CA

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I've been saving the bags from inside cereal boxes. They are sort of like waxed paper, and work great to store any homemade bread item you don't want to lose its crispy outer crust. Plastic wrap, plastic baggies and foil seem to take all the crispiness away from homemade banana bread crust, and the cereal bag seems to keep the crisp longer! Of course, this is cereal I bought on sale and used double coupons for! Now that's frugal!

By Carrie Nowlin from Okemos, MI

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Dear Webby's Humor Letter

Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.

More Information:
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I am in charge of our homecoming freshman float. I have no clue what to do with it! We are the panthers and we are playing the cardinals! Our topic is Dynamite. Could you help me find some ideas what to do?

Tanae from Terreton ID

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I am looking for a pattern by Carefree. The book was Summer Harvest. It was discontinued in Jan 03. The pattern # is SH10013B. If anyone knows how I might be able to find a couple rolls of this border, I would greatly appreciate any lead. Thank you.

Gail from Palmyra, TN

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Product: Rival Versaware Slow Cooker

Manufacturer: Rival

Request: This slow cooker has a liner that can be used directly on the stove top. Any opinions?

Holly from Richardson, TX

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Can I use Advantage and a flea collar on a 7 week old kitten?

Desiree from Northridge, CA

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I have recently gotten rid of a litter of 9 kittens and I am trying to get rid of the odor left behind from trying to litter train them. I would really appericate any help for a good carpet cleaning solution. I have tried many things, but nothing seems to get rid of the smell.

Merlinspad1

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I painted my kitchen countertops and they look fantastic. I have applied 4 coats of high gloss water-based polyacrylic. The texture seems bumpy and I was hoping for a smooth, glossy finish. I saw where a couple of people said that they sanded between coats of poly. Do you think I could still sand and get the look that I want?

Dawn from Cincy, OH

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I am hoping to do a cookbook for my church. It is a bigger task than I expected. Does anyone know of a good software program or template I could use?

Brenda

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I had a food chopper that worked well. I liked it so much that I purchased another, which isn't holding up. Although I tested it at the time of delivery (and it functioned nicely at that time), upon removing it from the cabinet years later, it isn't doing too well. Makes odd grinding noises.

I checked eopinion (www.eopinions.com) for Cuisinart's Duet which is a blender and food processor and read that the blender part is ok, but the processor freezes up, doesn't crush ice and cracks, no replacements available.

Oster has a blender and mini-jar combo, the 6814, but the bottom collar is impossible to remove to fit the mini-jar.

So is there a mini chopper someone would like to recommend? Preferably one that handles 2 to 3 cups-ish.

The Bravetti Quad blade was a 6 c. blender and processor and worked well for about 3 years. Purchased at HSN. I'd like to replace it, but parts are no longer available. I probably had one of the few that worked well, based on internet reviews. Too bad. Wish they'd continue making it (and make it well).

Holly from Richardson, TX

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I was wondering if any one knows some recipes for cabbage? I have recipes for coleslaw, corned beef, cabbage, and sauerkraut but I have a HUGE head of cabbage and I heard it doesn't can well.

Rhea from Ogden, KS

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I have a three year old Crape Myrtle (Tonto) that has a fork at it's base. The tree split and fell to the ground due to the weight of the water from sprinkling. I staked the split back together with heavy duty wire. Is there a type of wrap that I can use to possibly save my tree? There are three main branches that go into the ground. The tree is approximately four feet high. Athough the tree is split, the main branch is still intact. I desparetly want to save this tree. Thanks.

Hardiness Zone: 7a

Larry from Princess Anne, MD

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I have seen some really cute end tables with the top made from an old window. I wondered if anyone had instructions to make one or know where I could find them.

Thanks!
Brenda from Kansas

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Today I took some sweet gum balls from a tree that my late father had planted some 40-50 years ago. I thought it would be neat to have a tree that was a direct descendant of a tree planted by him. The gum balls are green. Can you tell me what I need to do to produce a sweet gum tree including getting the seeds from the gum ball to when and where to plant? Thanks so much!

Hardiness Zone: 6a

G. Brent from St. Louis, MO

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Does anyone have an easy recipe for the Indian pastries called samosas?

Pal from Cincinnati, OH

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I plugged in the vacuum and the power stopped. I checked all the outlets and fuses are good. I tightened wires on 4 outlets, 2 switches, panel box, and 2 junction boxes in attic for 4 ceiling fans. The tester shows I have power coming to outlets, but not enough to run anything. I haven't added anything new onto circuit. Never had any problems before on this circuit. 100 amp service with fuses. Tester reads Hot-ground reversed.

Thanks,
Pat from NY

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I'm not sure that this really falls under the gardening category but I need fast thrifty tips on how to get rid of termites! I noticed the tree in my front yard was dying and I looked at it yesterday and there was mud packed on the side of it. I scraped some off and underneath were thousands of termites eating away. I've also found a large number of "mud tubes" in my yard and when I clear them, there are termites inside.

I live paycheck to paycheck (very low income) and cannot afford a pest control company to treat this. Does anyone have a thrifty, homemade tip that might help with this. I'm so afraid they will make their way into my house if they haven't already and my skin is already crawling just thinking about it. Thanks for any help you can provide.

Hardiness Zone: 7a

Cjdnnm from Roswell, NM

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Is there anything I can make or do to kill tree roots in water/sewer lines? We used Rid-X successfully five years in Houston, on city utilities, BUT not on anything like a septic. I just hated the Rid-X and hope someone knows of any tree root killer that will NOT kill the tree or us that we can make or mix up? Extra money is non-existant and I am disabled.

Lynda from Richardson, TX

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Has anyone heard of a recipe that sounds similar to rice pudding, but uses patty pan squash? I was told about a method of preparing patty pan squash, that calls for steaming the squash, and then adds a sauce or liquid similar to what is added to rice. I believe cinnamon and sugar are added, too. Sounds intriguing, but my friend didnt know if it was something that her mother had just made up or if it was a real recipe! Thanks in advance!

Pam from Nebraska

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I need recipe to make jam and jelly from wild oregon grape.

Thanks bunches :-)
anbsmommy

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I need help choosing a color scheme for my living room and dining room. The rooms have a 12 foot vaulted ceiling in living room that goes down to a 8 foot ceiling in dining room. My living room furniture is maroon and navy, with Arkansas stone fire place.

Jill from Neosho, MO

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I have very long hair and it is falling more now after I had our daughter. It has become a problem when vacuuming. Does anyone have any ideas on how to manage getting the hair up off the floor without having to untangle it from the rollers every time I vacuum? Cutting my hair is not an option, although this heat wave is making me somewhat tempted to!

Thanks!
Tanu from NJ

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Eversave

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Product: Reynolds Wrap® Release® Non-Stick Foil

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Selecting High-Quality Melons:

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Here are a bunch of ways to recycle candles.

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