November 6, 2007

Creamy Ranch Pork Chops and RiceHeat oil in skillet. Add chops and cook until browned. Add soup, milk and 1/2 package salad dressing mix. Heat to a boil. Cover and cook over low heat 10 minutes, or until done. Sprinkle with paprika.

 

Black Bean DipTwo recipes for Black Bean Dip

 

Ground Beef ChiliBrown meat. Add rest of ingredients. Bring mixture to rolling boil. Reduce heat and simmer 2 1/-3 hours.

 

Fabulous FudgeGrease sides and bottom of 3 qt. heavy saucepan. Add sugar, cream, butter, chocolate and Karo syrup. Stir, being careful not to get sugar mixture on greased sides of pan.

 

Cinnamon StripsCream butter and sugar. Add flour, cinnamon, and egg yolk. Mix by hand. Pat dough into ungreased cookie sheet, about 1/4 inch thick. Press pecans into dough.

 

Crabmeat CasseroleCombine cream, butter, cheese, onion and mushrooms in top of large double boiler to make sauce. Cook noodles in salted water.

 

Texas PotatoesCover top of casserole evenly with cereal mixture. Cover tightly with foil. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. Remove foil, and continue baking for 15 minutes, or until bubbly in the middle.

 

No-Peek Tender TipsA secret ingredient ensures tasty tenderness. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13x9-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.

 

Carrots CalcuttaMelt butter in skillet; add carrots, onions, salt and curry powder. Saute' until tender, about 15 minutes.

 

Fast Food Buckets For Many UsesFree or almost always free fast food restaurants (ie: BK, McD, etc.) go through a lot of pickle buckets. They are free or maybe $1 and are almost indestructible.

 

Seagull JokeWhy wouldn't the Seagull fly over the bay?

 

A Yard's Free TreasuresFor many parts of the country, autumn is a time to clean up the bounties of summer and prepare for the severities of winter. While it's tempting to fill trash cans and leaf bags with these summer skeletons, it's also wasteful.

 

Longwood Gardens - Kennett Square, PAPhotos taken at Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA. My mom and I had a blast. Wear comfy shoes. We were there over four hours, this place is HUGE!

 

My Frugal Life: "Frugal McDougal"They call me "Frugal McDougal" or sometimes "The Coupon Queen." Taking advantage of the many kinds of coupons available these days saves more money than one might think, and, like any thrifty housewife, I make good use of them.

 

Tips For House Fire PreparationHaving experienced a house fire which was declared a total loss, I have a few tips for making the experience less frustrating.

 

Stars and Stripes AfghanU.S. flag afghan has 264 crocheted granny squares. To finish the project each square has to be hand stitched into strips, then all strips sewn together.

 

Buy 130 Volt Incandescent Bulbs To Last LongerMy electrician just gave me a tip. He said to check the voltage on the light bulbs you buy. If you are buying regular incandescent bulbs, be sure they are 130 volts and not 120. They last longer and burn cooler protecting your fixtures and wiring.

 

Spray and Wash for Carpet StainsCoffee, tea or food spots on your carpets? Spray "Spray and Wash" on the spot. Wipe with a clean cloth, vacuum it and the stain/spot is gone.

 

November Best Grocery BuysNovember Best Buys: Apples, Beef, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chestnuts, Cranberries, Fish, Lamb, Onions, Oranges, Oysters, Pears, Pumpkin, Sweet potatoes, Tangelos, Tangerines, Turkey, Turnips, and Winter squash.

 

Bosswell (Boxer/Australian Shepherd)Bosswell is 2 months old. He is a boxer and Australian Shepherd. I got him from a friend. He likes to play with his toys. He is the coolest dog alive and my friend.

 

Digital Television Switch Coming In 2009"Television as we know it is about to change. By law, television stations nationwide must switch from the old method of transmitting TV signals known as analog to digital television (DTV) on February 17, 2009."

 

Sales on Registered or Wanted ItemsMy husband and I registered at two stores. One of the items I really wanted was a toaster oven. My wedding was more than six months away when I noticed a sale ad that showed the $100 toaster oven was on sale for $39.99.

 

Overwintering Bulbs, Tubers, and RhizomesMany plants store energy for next year's growth in tubers and rhizomes. The following plants can be stored over the winter in the same manner:

 

Reusing Items to Organize SpicesI like buying those plastic spice bottles that are so inexpensive, $0.48 to $0.99 each. They come in so many choices for all your baking and cooking needs.

 

Fun with the Baby and the DogYou can always find time to play ball with the dog after new baby arrives. Put the baby in a saucer on the deck and have fun. He will love hanging out and watching you fuss over something other than him.

 

Hardwood vs Laminate with Children?I have 3 children, 10 months- 7 years. I want to put in either hardwood or laminate in my kitchen, living room, hallway and possibly bedrooms. I would prefer to put hardwood in, but am concerned about the durability of it. I would love some feedback from people with children and hardwood or laminate.

 

Craft Projects with Old Calendars?Are there any organizations that can use old calendars? I have lots of old calendars with lovely pictures and am wondering if there are any organizations out there that can use them for craft projects?

 

Stuffing that Warms with Body Heat?Remember the old warm up seats that you'd take with you to go to the local high school football game on a cold fall night? I'd like to find out what the "stuffing" is in one of those items so I can make a small pet bed for my cat to sleep on. She is always cold and this would be perfect for her because it would keep her warm with her own body heat. No electric or batteries.

 

Festoonery Border in Mulberry?I am looking for a discontinued wallpaper border by Village called Festoonery Border in mulberry. I have already exhausted the suggested websites on other messages. Anyone have any in their closets?

 

Starting Curly Bamboo Shoots?I have some curly bamboo. How can I start new shoots so I can share it with my girls? Thank you.

 

What is The Difference Between Apple Cider and Apple Juice?What is the difference between apple cider and apple juice?

 

Ideas for "Sounds of the Seasons" Christmas Float?Does anyone have good ideas for a "Sounds of the Seasons" Christmas float?

 

Inexpensive Window Covering?I need to find an attractive, inexpensive way to cover a small vertical window next to my front door. The window is 35" long and 7" wide. Any suggestions would be appreciated! =)

 

Determining When Baked Goods Were Made?I read someplace on how to tell when baked goods were made. According to color on bread twistie. Like red for Mon. yellow Tues. or the like. Anyone know the secret to get the freshest when there is no date on the package?

 

Gift for Patients at Nursing Home?I really need input ASAP. I work at a nursing home and I really want to make the holidays extra special for all. Not everyone has family so not everyone gets a Christmas gift. I want to get something for everyone. I was going to get a big screen T.V. but the nursing home just bought one.

 

Removing Hard Water Stains from Whites?I live in a town that has terrible water, to say the least! It is so hard that almost every time I do laundry I end up with rust spots on different items. For this, I keep a great product called "Whink" around. Works wonders!

 

Looking For Studio Classic II Pattern #107B03260 Wallpaper Border.I am looking for 5/5 yard bolts of Studio Classic II Pattern #107B03260 wallpaper border. It is ivory color with slate green, and rose flowers and leaves.

 

"Christmas of Lights" Float Ideas?I need some ideas for my work's annual Christmas float for the Christmas parade on Dec. 1st. The theme is "Christmas of Lights". I want to do something original but cannot think of anything! Any suggestions??

 

Cleaning Hard Water Spots Off Of Crystal?We have really hard water, and I wish I could figure out the best way to clean the water spots off my crystal wine glasses.

 

Flea Treating Mother Dog with New Pups?Is it safe to use flea treatment on my dog with 1 week old pups and if so what? Pups have fleas but mom doesn't. Otherwise healthy.

 

Dicrofex Paper?While surfing the web I came across a sight that talked about a product named Dicrofex paper for jewelry making. It gives the appearance of dichroic glass but without the kiln. How readily available is it and where can I find it in my area? I am only 45 minutes from Kansas City, MO.

 

Help Planning Christian 50th Birthday Party?I am a Christian and I need help on planning my husband's 50th birthday (Dinner Party).

 

Cooking a Frozen Boneless Pork Loin?How can I fix a 12lb. boneless pork loin. Its already been frozen.

 

Concerns About Lead Paint on Jewelry?While thinking about the fact that there is lead in brightly colored paints, and that other countries may not have our regulations about what is permissible and healthy, it occured to me that necklaces from other countries with brightly colored beads, cords and findings may not be safe. So the questions is, how much lead can be absorbed by contact with skin? Am I overthinking the situation? Today I saw a lovely necklace made in China with a jet black cord and a cinnabar bead that would set high up on the neck. Nicely priced at World Market, and the only one left on the display. But I didn't dare buy it.

 

Party Favors for 10 Year Old Boys?Help! My son is turning 10. What is a good party favor to give the boys?

 

Getting Smell Out of Carpet?I thought so far I have taken care of the smell that is omnipresent in Indian homes by keeping doors, windows, fans open/on during and after cooking. But recently I moved to a million dollar home that was beautiful. But from day 1, I found the carpet to be smelly. My earlier home had carpets too but was not smelly.

 

How to Kill Vegetation?I am looking for tips on how to kill vegetation?

 

Organizing Meat in The Freezer?On the front of my freezer, I keep an inventory list. Each year, we have a hog and a beef butchered and I am very "strict" about abiding to the inventory list.