April 12, 2006

Creamy Potato SoupBoil 6 potatoes till they are done, put in large pot. Boil the other 6 potatoes and onions until they are a little over done and really soft.

 

Elves CookiesGrease 9x13 inch pan. Make layers using the ingredients in the order given. Bake in 325 degree F oven for 25 minutes. Let cool and cut into blocks.

 

Chocolate Cherry Almond TortePreheat oven to 350 degrees F. Melt chocolate in water over low heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in butter until completely melted. Blend in sugar. Cool.

 

Yummy Pudding N Stuff CakeMix Jiffy cake mix according to package directions and pour into a 13x9 inch pan. Batter will be very thin. (really a shell) Bake 20-25 min. at temperature on package.

 

Planning Your OutfitsI got so tired of having nothing to wear, I was going crazy. I decided to tear into my closet and put some outfits together including jewelry and shoes and write each one down.

 

Quick Potato FrostingA quick frosting can be made by boiling a small potato, mashing it with butter, and adding powdered sugar and vanilla.

 

Growing BroccoliBroccoli have thick, upright green stalks that hold heads of multiple clusters of tiny edible flower buds. They belong to the cabbage family.

 

Adjusting to Your First PetIf you've never had a pet before or it's just been a really long time you're going to need to make a few adjustments to your life.

 

Frog JokeWhat happens when you illegally park a frog?

 

Breed Information: English Springer SpanielThe English Springer Spaniel dog breed is one of the tallest of the spaniels. Its strong, compact build lends itself to great endurance in the field, and its loving and affectionate personality makes it a good companion for families with children.

 

Get Started Growing GourdsIf you've had success growing pumpkins or squash, you might want to consider trying your luck with gourds. Since most gourds have a long growing period (from 90-130 days) now is a great time to start them indoors. They aren't very good to eat, but they are notoriously easy to grow.

 

Plan a Party for Earth DaySaturday, April 22, 2006, will mark the 36th annual Earth Day. Why not resolve to spend the day in the most Earth friendly way possible. Lead the way by throwing an Earth Day party to show your support for protecting the environment. Here are some ideas on how to throw a party for the planet:

 

Hosea Can You See?This is a true story but its so funny it can be considered a joke. My daughter when she was in first grade was so proud of being in school and could not wait to come home and tell me about her day.

 

When Adding Fabric SoftenerTo keep the softener dispenser in the washing machine from becoming gunked up, first put in a half cup of water and then the softening agent.

 

Buying Bedding PlantsOne of the best parts of spring is taking that first trip to the nursery or garden center to shop for bedding plants. If you're like me, walking into a greenhouse that is overflowing with green plants and colorful flowers is exhilarating and even a bit overwhelming-especially after a long winter.

 

I Longed For A Simpler LifestyleWhen I was in my early 50s, I began to question the lifestyle my husband and I were living. I knew I wanted less stress, I knew I was tired of working for someone else, and I felt there had to be a way to achieve my goal of quitting the corporate world for good.

 

Breed Information: Great DaneThe Great Dane is often called the gentle giant. This breed combines an enormous muscular body with both elegance and dignity. The Great Dane is very affectionate and displays loyalty to its master, patience with children and cautious restraint around strangers.

 

Crazy Hat Tea PartyHave you moved to a new neighborhood and looking for a way to get to know your new neighbors? Would you like to host a small charity event? Are you a group of friends who just want something fun and different to do?

 

Setting Up An AquariumAdding fish to the family? Starting with freshwater fish can be helpful because the equipment you will need is a little more affordable than saltwater fish supplies. Freshwater fish are relatively hardy too.

 

Feathers for Easter CenterpiecesUse colored feathers for your Easter centerpieces. Feathers and eggs go great with Easter. Check out the wreath I made.

 

Cooking up Ground BeefWhen you purchase large amounts of ground beef on sale here is a great idea I found and it works great. Place 10 to 12 pounds of ground beef in a large stockpot.

 

Growing CauliflowerA member of the cabbage family, cauliflower is comprised of bunches of tiny flowerets (heads) on clusters of stalks. Only the flowerets (heads) are eaten. Cauliflower is less tolerant of heat than other members of this genus.

 

Bumper Pads for Toddler's RoomWhen my Grandson was learning to walk he fell against the wall and bumped his head. I came up with the idea of putting bumper pads on the walls of his room. . .

 

Growing: Brussels SproutsBrussels sprouts are members of the cabbage family. The edible "sprouts" look like miniature cabbages and grow around one main, thick, green central stalk that can grow several feet in height.

 

Breed Information: Greater Swiss Mountain DogThe Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a broad, powerful chest, sturdy, muscular body and beautiful tri-colored markings. This good-natured breed was originally developed to help with farm work such as guarding livestock and pulling carts to market. Today, the "Swissy" is noted for its patience with children and its calm and gentle nature.

 

Shred Credit Card OffersIdentity theft is on the rise. Purchase an inexpensive paper shredder and you could save yourself a lifetime of headaches and a lot of money in the long run.

 

Small Gifts to Slip into Greeting CardsEven if you don't want to send a big present - look for something you can slip into a greeting card - a pin - a bit of jewelry - a tiny book - and so on - It's easier, meaningful and thrifty.

 

Poll: Do you shred credit card offers?Today's poll asks: Do you shred credit card offers?

 

Growing CabbageCabbage is a low growing vegetable in the Cruciferae family with a large head made up of many layers of thick, succulent leaves.

 

Growing CarrotsCarrots are root vegetables, usually orange, white or red in color and have a woody texture. The edible part of a carrot is its long taproot.

 

Christian the CatChristian is a grey and brown tabby and is 9 months old. We got him on September 11, 2005.

 

Keeping No-seeums Out of The House?No-seeum season is about to happen up here in northern New England, and I'm getting nervous. These tiny bugs fly through my screens at night and bite the heck out me while I'm asleep. They don't touch my husband! They bite me mercilessly and I often get covered with ugly bites and then scars on my arms and legs. Does anyone have any advice about how to *prevent* them from coming in through the screens on warm spring and summer nights?

 

Bleach Has Made My Shirt Pink?I bought an off-white (sort of really light beige) colored shirt recently. The first time I washed it, it came out with a couple of purple splashes on it from another t-shirt in the wash I suppose. I bleached it lightly to try and get rid of the stain. Immediately after I submerged it in the water and bleach solution, it seemed to turn a really light pink color.

 

Cooking Oil Residue on Plastic?We keep our cooking oil in a plastic jar until we use it again. After awhile the plastic jar becomes grimy, sticky and hard to remove residue. Do you know of any cleaner that will remove the residue quickly and without a lot of elbow grease.

 

Latex Paint Stains In My Tub?I had my place painted by a friend last week and he left the brushes and rollers in the tub. Now there is paint all over the tub which is fiberglass. I had soaked the whole tub with hot water thinking the latex paint will dissolve. No such luck. So the paint must have been semi-gloss. Someone told me to use paint thinner but that could damage the tub.

 

Buying Towels - Tips and Advice?I am having trouble buying cotton bath towels. Seems the towels I bought, 4 sets of 100% Cotton (100% pima cotton loop) bath towels, are nonabsorbent (moves water from one area to another) and leaving lint all over.

 

Cleaning a Bratz Doll?I bought a bratz doll that has dye marks on the forehead and one that has ink marks on the body. Any suggestions?

 

Dye From Blue Jeans on Leather Shoes?How do you get the dye from blue jeans off leather shoes?