December 21, 2004

Keeping Bags from Rolling Around in the TruckI use a small truck to shop at stores. In the past all the packages used to tip over and roll out of reach.

 

Pet Bed from Paper BoxTurn a cardboard box (the kind that reams of copy paper come in) into a bed for a small pet by cutting an entrance and lining it with a blanket.

 

A Stop Ball for the GarageUsing a long string, hang a ball from the garage ceiling indicating where a new driver should stop the car. Hitting it won't do any damage to the car and it will prevent the driver from hitting something else. By GrammySheila (Sheila Saey)

 

Gift Idea Using White Plastic Tall (3") Pill BottlesThis idea can be used for Christmas, birthday, Easter, Valentine or whatever! Use your imagination.

 

Easy Christmas Tree DecorationsIf you are new to decorating your own tree and don't have a lot of decorations, here are some thrifty ways to decorate your tree.

 

Turn a Sit and Spin Into a Large Lazy SusanIf you come across a sit n spin at a yard sale remove the top handle and use the bottom as a lazy susan in a larger cabinet. Use a Sawz-all to remove the handle or have your 3 year old throw it around a few times:) You can even place a round piece of wood glued on top. (use one of those round side table tops that have the 3 legs). By Melanie

 

Fantastic Corn Broccoli Side DishMix all EXCEPT 1 cup cheese, butter and stuffing. Pour in casserole dish, top with reserved items EXCEPT for cheese! Mix well. Bake 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with the cheese. Return to oven for 5 minutes just to melt.

 

Carry 3" x 5" Spiral Note Pad When ShoppingKeep a note pad in your car, pants pocket, purse OR coupon pouch with a pen when shopping. Then you are always prepared to jot notes of items that you may want to duplicate for a gift. Seeing is one thing, remembering is another!

 

Do You Get Chapped Hands In Winter?Here is a remedy that works! Process 1 cup of uncooked, old fashioned (not instant) rolled oats in a blender until you have very fine powder. Place it in a large bowl, then rub your hands in the powder gently, removing dry skin. Rinse with cold water and lavish on hand cream (any kind) Wait 2 min. and apply more cream. This treatment will remove the top layer of dead skin cells. Hey it's cheaper then the expensive hand cream and works well! By Karah B

 

Farmer's Cure For Chapped LipsWell if you are out and have no chap stick or if you work out in the cold and your lips get chapped try this, it works as well. Farmers used to do it. Put your finger on the side of your nose, then rub your finger around your lips. It picks up a little of the oil that's naturally there, It is the kind of oil your lips are looking for anyway and they usually get it from contact with adjacent skin. You couldn't get any more home remedy than that. By Karah B

 

Disposing of Burnt Out Light BulbsPlace blown-out light bulbs in a baggie before throwing them away. If it is accidentally crushed, the pieces won't tear the garbage bag.

 

Karen's Family Tradition - Christmas Ornaments with StoriesEvery year, I buy everyone in the family a special ornament that has something to do with their past year, their interests or accomplishments. When I got divorced and had 2 young girls, we started some holiday traditions of our own.

 

Onions Making You Cry?The best thing I have found is to keep the onions in the refrigerator until you need one. The colder the onion is the less you'll cry. Peel them under cold water. By Tracey

 

Moose/Reindeer NuggetsOne year a friend of mine gave each of my kids a Reindeer Nuggets box (Whoppers candy). It was the cutest idea and my kids just loved it! You could use Milk Duds or gum balls that are in similar containers.

 

Bring a List to After Christmas SalesHave a list of items that you really need before you shop sales. No point in having a lot of multiples of Christmas supplies that you won't use, no matter how cheap they are! They take up storage space. By Syd

 

Mixing in Some Spinach With Hamburger HelperDid you know you can stir in a 10 oz. package of frozen creamed spinach into a box of hamburger helper, especially the cheese flavors and even the kids will eat it? I HATE spinach and it was wonderful! By Sandra G.

 

Avoid Cuts from Can LidsGet in the habit of always dropping a can lid into the empty can right away to avoid cuts. By Linda

 

Making Rag Rugs?Does anyone have any suggestions how to make rag rugs?

 

Using Red Velvet Cake Mix?There is a new red velvet cake mix on sale now that tastes exactly like a "scratch" cake, if you add the vinegar and cocoa from the original recipe to the cake mix. My son never noticed a difference.

 

Christmas Card Tips?Christmas card tips and ideas. Post your ideas.

 

How do you get black gel pen out of white clothes?I was washing my cloths and forgot I left a black gel pen in the pocket. So when I got them out of the dryer the cloths had all these black spots. So then I tried bleach, didn't work. Then I used Oxyclean in hot water over night didn't work. I used 6 scoops. I was wondering if anyone has a solution to my problem. Thanx and Happy Holidays, Donnerschlag

 

Salt Free and Low Sodium Foods?I would like to know where is some of the best places to find salt free or low sodium foods. Such as canned foods. Louis