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Summer Fun

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Featured

Hanging School Bus Picture Frame - finished bus photo frame

Hanging School Bus Picture FrameBack to school season is coming up! This is a cute craft you can make to decorate your fridge and fill up with your child's pictures throughout the year.

3 Butterflies and a Bee on Echinacea - pretty purple cone flowers with pollinators

3 Butterflies and a Bee on EchinaceaAfter reading how important planting native plants are to the health of bees, butterflies, birds, native animals and the environment, I am adding more native plants to my little "Mom's Memorial Garden".

Loving a Chicken - tan and white hen closeup

Loving a ChickenI save my food scraps to take to my neighbor's chickens. There is one little hen that gets out of the pen most every day. When she sees me coming, she runs down the path to meet me and follows me to the pen. She lets me pick her up and put her over the fence back into the pen. She wants to eat too.

Happy Birthday Printable Banner - part of the banner reading "Happy"

Happy Birthday Printable BannerHave an upcoming event or party to plan? You can make any custom banner easily with Microsoft Word. I made this simple Happy Birthday banner and I'm here to share how I did it.

Cute Little Paper Bird Craft - finished pink paper bird decoration

Cute Little Paper Bird CraftHere is a cute craft for the summer months! This little bird will look great as party décor when hosting a garden party. This fella' is quick to make, so you can have a whole flock of birds to help you to celebrate in style. You can make the birds in different colors to add a fun element.

Mini Clothespin Rainbow Necklace - closeup of woman wearing the necklace

Mini Clothespin Rainbow NecklaceI've made this necklace for my little niece because she adores rainbows. It doubles as an interactive game, as you can remove the clothespins and clip them back on in any order. She will be learning the colour order of the rainbow while putting together her own necklace. This is a great craft for kids, and a great little gift!

Gardening Tips and Advice

Asparagus Harvest

Extending Your Asparagus HarvestThis is a guide about extending your asparagus harvest. With a few simple strategies you can stagger and extend the length of your asparagus harvest.

Growing Celery From Kitchen Scraps - celery growing the garden

Growing Celery From Kitchen ScrapsWhen you are finished with the bunch of celery, put it in a glass of water to root. Then put it in a pot with potting soil. When it gets bigger plant in the ground. Water it regularly and you will have celery.

Using A Coffee Container As An Indoor or Outdoor Planter - decorated container on patio table

Using A Coffee Container As An Indoor or Outdoor PlanterBecause we drink a lot of coffee, we often have so many left over containers. I have given these sturdy and decorative containers a new life while helping with the land fill. I use them as planters for myself, friends, and family.

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Ripe Blackberries

Picking the Ripest BlackberriesOptimal sweetness is achieved when the berry is fully ripe. Some berries actually may appear ready to pick when black and shiny, but with some varieties it is when they become less shiny that they are the sweetest. This is a guide about picking the ripest blackberries.

An aloe plant in a pot.

Growing AloeThis is a guide about growing aloe. Not only is aloe a neat looking plant, it has medicinal uses too. It is easy to grow aloe at home and have access to its soothing qualities the next time you get sunburned.

DIY Green Onion Garden - large green onion tops

DIY Green Onion GardenI love having a never-ending green onion garden, especially on the cheap. I recently got a huge bag of green onions at the shop for 50 cents. Some of them were starting to wilt at the tips. I used the dark green parts in some recipes, and soaked the roots in some water overnight. I then planted them.

More Gardening Tips and Advice

Summer Fun for Kids

Summer Fun Box

Summer Fun BoxSchool is almost out! A great surprise gift idea for elementary-aged children, grandchildren, or nieces and nephews is a 'Summer of Fun' surprise package. Try to think of all the things you loved as a child.

A family that just discovered their geocache

Try Geocaching This SummerAs soon as I hear, "Hey, Gigi, let's go geocaching," from one of my grandkids, I'm ready to go.

Fishing in a mountain lake.

Summer Crafts and Activities for Kids (and...If I do not make plans to keep my son busy this summer, he will be perfectly content to waste his days watching TV and playing with his DS. So I plan to set up a daily schedule for him.

Yo-Yo

Attend Free Summer Community EventsThis weekend, we attended Celebrate Hillsboro, an annual summer event provided by the businesses and city of Hillsboro, Oregon.

A woman reading books in the summer.

Starting a Summer Book Club and Book SwapKeep your kids entertained and reading over the summer by organizing a book club and book swap. Consider one for yourself as well. This is a guide about starting a summer book club and book swap.

A child blowing bubbles

Summertime Activities for Your ChildrenFrugal living is nothing new to us as I was raised in a family of 11 kids and many foster children. We may have struggled because money was tight, but we never seemed to lack for fun things to do and there was always something going on that held our attention.

More Summer Fun for Kids

Pest Control

Horses with fly nets to keep the horse flies off their heads.

Getting Rid of Horse FliesHorse flies can be a menace to have around. This is a guide about getting rid of horse flies.

Carpenter Bee Trap

How to Make a Carpenter Bee TrapCarpenter bees can destroy the wood in your home. Use this simple trick to capture carpenter bees. This is a guide about making a carpenter bee trap.

A lizard on a porch.

Keeping Lizards Off Your PorchLizards love to sun themselves during the day. Your porch may very well be a nearly ideal place for them to catch some sun and warm up. If you live in an area with many lizards, keeping lizards off your porch might be an issue you have to deal with.

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Tiny Ants

Getting Rid of Tiny AntsBoth borax powder and diatomaceous earth can be effective in deterring ants. This is a guide about getting rid of tiny ants.

Mosquito on someone's hand.

Mosquito Repellent RecipesThis page contains mosquito repellent recipes. Mosquitoes are a problem in many regions.

Carpenter bee drilling into wood.

Getting Rid of Carpenter BeesCarpenter bees will attack the wood trim and porches around your home making holes and tunnels for nesting. This is a guide about getting rid of carpenter bees.

More Pest Control

School

Pita sandwich with lettuce and tomato in it.

School Lunches With PizzazzThe prices of school lunches, like most other things, are rising. Yet, parents need to question whether these lunches are providing their children with healthy lunch options and whether or not the lunches are worth the money.

First Day of School Photos

First Day of School PhotosEvery year, since our kids were in Kindergarten, I have taken a photo of them in their cubbies. Looking back at them, they are so small those first few years.

school bus in the country

Buy Teachers' Gifts NowIt might be fall, but now is the time to purchase your child's teacher gifts. Teachers always appreciate tokens of student appreciation, especially those that are hand-picked by their students.

Back To School Breakfast Schedule

Back To School Breakfast ScheduleWe use to struggle with what to have for breakfast. My children have come up with a breakfast schedule and they posted it on the fridge. They listed days of the week and the breakfast meal that will be served that morning.

Photo of two bananas and a brown paper bags.

Saving Money on Packed LunchesWith kids going back to school soon, it's a good time to start looking for ways to save money on packed lunches. Here are some tips shared by the ThriftyFun community. If you have advice, please post it here.

printer cartridges

Free FundraisersAs schools suffer through budget cuts, fundraisers become even more important. Yet everyone is cutting back, and purchasing wrapping paper, candy, or raffle tickets isn't in the budget.

Videos

A tent pole elastic that has been repaired.

How to Fix a Tent PoleMany tent poles are attached with elastic, which can break with rough usage. Learn how to fix it in this short video.

Teak furniture on a deck outdoors.

Refinishing Teak Outdoor FurnitureTeak is a common material for outdoor furniture because it is long lasting if cared for correctly. Learn how to do it in this short video.

A foil lid being used as an impromptu spoon.

Making a Lid SpoonEver been stuck without a spoon when eating an individual serving of applesauce, pudding or yogurt? Just use the lid as a spoon! Learn how to make one in this short video.

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A stuffed red lobster with a black eye patch covering where an eye is missing.

Stuffed Animal Eye PatchIf you have a beloved stuffed animal that loses an eye, an eye patch might be the best solution. Learn how in this short video.

A tray of peanut butter cookies.

Flourless Peanut Butter CookiesThese easy peanut butter cookies are entirely gluten-free. Learn how to make them in this short video.

A serving of peach crumble topped with ice cream.

Peach CrumblePeach crumble is a classic summertime dessert, especially if you are lucky enough to have ripe fresh peaches. Learn how to make it in this short video.

Recent

Graphic designer at work with color samples.

Art and Design Business Name IdeasChoose a business name that is easy to remember and best describes the services you provide. This is a guide about art and design business name ideas.

Strawberry Mango Sorbet in bowl

Strawberry Mango SorbetThis is a quick and easy sorbet that doesn't require an ice cream maker. A bit of heavy cream pureed with ripe fruits make for an excellent treat once frozen. I love this for hot summer days!

Chilled Spinach Soup in bowl

Chilled Spinach SoupSpinach has been a fabulous superfood for ages. Just ask Popeye! It's packed full of vitamins, iron, calcium, and is an excellent pick-me-up when you need some energy. These hot summer days have me feeling a bit lethargic, so this chilled spinach soup really comes in handy. You can skip the entire chilling process if you'd like to have it hot, which is also phenomenal.

Date of installation written on hot water heater.

Hot Water Heater Installation ReminderDate your installation! A hot water heater sits quietly in a closet, basement or garage. Forgotten until it breaks. Well, when our hot water heater needed to be replaced, I was left with water on my basement floor and in a panic to get a replacement. This could have been prevented if I knew when it was installed.

Cooked Stuffed Peppers

Cauliflower Rice Stuffed PeppersThis is a low-carb version of this classic dish. I used ground beef. Equivalent amounts of any ground meat or beans could be used for variety. You may also vary the spices. Recipe can be doubled, tripled or even quadrupled.

Puto Flan Bombs on plate

Puto Flan BombsThis exciting recipe explodes with cheese and cream in your mouth. That's why I call it a bomb. It is a combination of custard and steamed cheese cake.

Questions

Identifying a Mersman Table - dark stain table with two turned supports and a base with four legs

Identifying a Mersman TableWhat type of Mersman table is this and what is the wood type?

Identifying Porcelain Dolls - two dolls

Identifying Porcelain DollsI need to know what type of doll this is. Any ideas?

Value of Soundesign Stereo Consoles and Receivers

Value of Soundesign Stereo Consoles and ReceiversI have several vintage Soundesign stereo consoles from the Classic Collection Series. These are still in factory boxes, unopened. Most all the model #s are none existent on the web. But also, some of these boxes say "Sample" on them.

What Breed Is My Dog?

What Breed Is My Dog?I rescued him last month from a private farm. He is about five months old, his father and mother are brown with black muzzles. They were abandoned at the farm.

Repairing an Electric Typewriter - LCD screen

Repairing an Electric TypewriterI recently got a Canon Typestar 10, but when I turn it on some shapes come up on the LCD for a few seconds then the shapes go away and it won't do anything.

Ford Ranger AC Blows Hot AirMy Ford Ranger's AC will blow cold for just a sec and then it blows straight hot air. What's wrong with it?

Browse

The sun as viewed through the pinhole viewer.

Making a Pinhole Solar Eclipse Viewer

A repair man fixing a leaky roof.

Finding Home Repair Help for Low Income Families

Bee on Hummingbird Feeder

Keeping Bees Out of a Hummingbird Feeder

Buy Now Pay Later Websites

Buy Now, Pay Later Websites

Musty Smell in the Basement

Getting Rid of a Musty Smell in the Basement

Electric Smoke Detector

Electric Smoke Detector Won't Stop Beeping

A man with a nail gun performing roof repairs.

Getting Financial Assistance for Roof...

13th Birthday Party Ideas for Girls

13th Birthday Party Ideas for Girls

Close up of a roof being installed

Finding Roof Repair Assistance for Seniors

A birthday cake with the number 11 on it.

11th Birthday Party Ideas for Girls

Getting Rid of Ants

Getting Rid of Ants

A woman getting dental work done.

Getting Dental Work w/o Insurance

A man cutting down a tree.

Selling Trees on Your Land for Lumber

50th birthday party numbered candles on a cake

Unique 50th Birthday Party Ideas

Cigarette Smoke Odors

Removing Cigarette Smoke Odors From a...

13 year old gift ideas

12th Birthday Party Ideas for Girls

50th Anniversary Gift Box

50th Anniversary Gift Ideas

Man scratching his head.

Getting Rid of Fleas in Human Hair

Getting Rid of Fruit Flies, Fruit Fly on Apple

Getting Rid of Fruit Flies

Picture of a red striped shirt in a washer.

Removing Dye Transfers from Clothing

An ink pen in a blue leather purse.

How to Remove Ink from Leather

Homemade Cat Repellents

Homemade Cat Repellents

10th Birthday Cake.

10th Birthday Party Ideas

Itching from a bug bite.

Identifying Little Black Biting Bugs

Couch with urine odors.

Removing Urine Odors from a Couch

Someone mopping a floor.

How Much Does House Cleaning Cost?

Hardwood Floor

Cleaning Pet Urine Odor From Hardwood Floors

Toilet bowl

Removing Toilet Bowl Stains

A wood table.

Fixing a Wood Table With a Nail Polish Remover Stain

Cleaning Smoke Stains from Walls

Cleaning Smoke Off Walls

Up close photo of a pillow top mattress.

Cleaning Urine Stains from a Mattresses

Roof with damaged shingles.

Roof Repair for Low Income Homeowners

Skunk in the Grass

Removing Skunk Smell from House

A dog laying on a hardwood floor.

Removing Pet Urine Stains from Hardwood Floors

Rust stains around tub faucet.

Removing Rust Stains from a Bathtub

Making a Mosquito Trap

Making a Mosquito Trap

Disposing of Old Gasoline, Red gas can.

Cleaning Gasoline from Car Carpet

Young Boy at Daycare

Name Ideas for a Childcare Business

Faucet running in a kitchen that uses well water.

Removing Sulfur Smell from a Well Water System

Bug Bites

Getting Rid of Invisible Biting Bugs

White Heat Stain on Wood Table

Removing White Heat Stains from a Wood Table

Refrigerator

Refrigerator's Ice Maker Not Making Ice

Computer screen on the online auction website, eBay.

How to Use Online Auctions and Not Get...

kitchen sink

Unclogging a Garbage Disposal

Removing Tree Sap Stains

Removing Tree Sap

Brown microfiber couch.

Cleaning Microfiber Furniture

Hummingbird perched on a feeder.

Keeping Ants Out of the Hummingbird Feeder

A bunch of ants on a white background.

Identifying Small Black Bugs

Spaghetti Sauce Jar with Torn Label

Removing Labels from Glass Jars

A photo of an old, gold trophy.

Recycling Old Trophies

Weeds Between Bricks

Preventing and Killing Weeds Between Bricks

A repairman looking at a washing machine.

Repairing a Washer That Won't Drain or Spin

Woman Cleaning Bathtub

Cleaning a Fiberglass Tub

Homemade Carpet Shampoo Recipes

Homemade Carpet Shampoo Recipes

George Foreman Grill

Replacement Parts for George Foreman Grills

A blue above ground swimming pool.

Cleaning an Above Ground Pool

Man sitting on couch looking through phone book in flooded room with water up past his ankles

Finding Plumbing Repair Assistance for...

Well water running a in a sink.

Removing Rust from Well Water

Mildew Smell in Car

Getting Rid of Mildew Smell in a Car

Keeping Slugs Off Hostas

Keeping Slugs Off Hostas

Dog laying on beige carpet next to a vacuum

Cleaning Urine Odors from Carpet

A dog scratching his fleas.

Home Remedies for Fleas

14th Birthday Party Ideas for Girls

14th Birthday Party Ideas for Girls

Cleaning shiny counter top with a cloth

Restoring the Shine on a Formica Countertop

Young woman dyeing her hair.

Removing Hair Dye from Wood

Veterinarian taking a blood sample from a cat.

Finding a Veterinarian That Accepts Payments

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