Substituting Marshmallow Creme for Marshmallows?
When I had a snack bar at a local flea market years ago, I made these every week for the snack bar. I used 1 jar of marshmallow creme(7oz) and I would add 3 or 4 marshmallows to it as I heated the butter and the marshmallow creme. When the marshmallows had...
Use Lighter Fluid to Remove Labels
It only takes a couple drops to remove the label from the floppy. If you dont let it run on the floppy, but just soak into the label, it wont do any damage, and once the wet look evaporates there is no residue left. Yes, I do put another label over the old...
Recipes Using Leftover Oatmeal?
When my kids were little, I used to cook more oatmeal for breakfast than I needed, just so I could bake this delicious Oatmeal Cake.I got the recipe from my babysitter who did the same thing. Oatmeal Cake 1 1/2 cups leftover oatmeal 1/2 cup of shortening or...
Old Fashioned Apple Butter
The easiest way that I know of to make apple butter, and you may use this method with the above recipe or any other recipe that suits you. The secret is in the cooking. Just put all the ingredients in a large pan or crock pot liner, and pop it into a 300º oven...
Churning Butter?
(B)Whole Milk will not make butter. (/B) Unless you have a cow and can skim the cream off the top of the fresh milk after it has separated, you will have to buy Whipping Cream. But shaking the jar is the way to make it. As the oldest of 16 kids, (ten when I...
Glue for Making Paper Toys?
I would recommend that you use Alleenes Tacky Glue. It is available at the craft stores and in the craft dept. at WalMart. It is a white glue similar to Elmers, but lots thicker. I keep my bottle turned upside down in a coffee mug to keep the glue at the ready...
Saving Money on Valentine's Day
One gift that will cost you not one penny, since no amount of money can buy it...a love letter to your sweetheart. And, I dont mean just a new boyfriend. I did this for my husband one Valentines Day. We had been married for 35 years. He said that it meant more...
Where Do You Let Your Dough Rise?
You might try setting the container on a small heating pad on the lowest setting. If it seems too warm, cover the pad with a folded dish towel. I would only use the heating pad at nite when the house is cool, and when you warm the house in the morning, turn...
Cranberry Bread with Orange and Oats
Additional note : Since I submitted this recipe, I have tried the changes that I mentioned, but have decided that the sugar and egg yolks that I wanted to eliminate are important to the recipe. My modified loaf did not cook properly and was mushy in the middle...
Storing Homemade Bread?
I slice the whole loaf, then put two slices together and wrap securely with plastic wrap. Then I put the loaf into a plastic produce bag (saved from the grocery store) and keep it in the freezer. I take out what I need for a sandwich or breakfast toast, and...
Selling Plywood Yard Art?
I have been making plywood yard art for a little over 5 years. There are not a lot of people in my area who do this craft. I have been doing craft shows for over 30 years, and the yard art also does well at craft shows, but it only does well if the show is...
Susan: ThriftyFun Says Goodbye
I printed this article when it appeared last year. I am one of those people who considered Susan a friend, though I never met her. She did so many sweet things for me. I have smiled into her beautiful face on my bulletin board every day for the past year, and...
Divinity Fudge Not Setting Up?
One thing that might cause it is to not beat it long enough...or perhaps you didnt drizzle the syrup slowly enough into the egg whites. Also, I recommend using a candy thermometer instead of relying on the cold water method that was used years ago. On occasion...
Thickening Apple Butter?
My crockpot has a removable crock. The easiest way to thicken apple butter is to put it in the crock in a 350º oven without a lid. Stir it occasionally until it is as thick as you like it. Harlean from Arkansas
Making New Clothes from Old Clothes
They say a picture is worth a thousand words...in this case it would be a great addition. I am a crafter, but dont do a lot of sewing and it would take a picture or two for me to envision what you are describing. Sounds cute, but I cant see it in my minds eye...
Risks of Roundworms for Humans?
You can buy medicine over the counter at the pharmacy for roundworms. Tapeworms can be the result of your pet ingesting a flea. That happened with our Rat Terrier once, and we took him to the vet for treatment. But I treat the dogs for roundworms on a regular...
Keeping Well Water from Staining Clothing?
I have iron in my well water that stains my clothes and also my dishes. But I purchase a product from Wal-Mart called IRON-OUT and add that to my white clothes. Make sure that you dont put any colored clothes in as it may take the color out. I also soak my...
Making a Deep Kitchen Cabinet More Accesible?
My corner cabinets, both upper and lower came with a lazy susan in them. Perhaps you could buy one at a cabinet shop and get a handyman to install it. I really love mine. The upper one holds all my spices and baking ingredients, and the bottom one has two shelves...
Making Christmas Pins?
Hi Karen, Here is the link to a lapel pin pattern that I posted last year. It is made with ribbon, a safety pin and small Jingle bells. My granddaughter made these for family and friends at the age of 7. Quick and cute. http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58367440...
Recording Records to CDs?
My husband has a program called Spin It Again. It does a pretty good job of transferring from old records and cassette tapes to CD. It is simple to use, and he bought an old stereo record player that plays 33 1/3 , 78, and 45 speeds. He just hooks his stereo...
Crust on Homemade Bread is Hard?
I rub a little oil or butter on the top of my loaf and wrap it in a heavy terry towel hot out of the oven. The steam that is formed inside the towel softens the crust. When it is cool, I slip it into a plastic bread wrapper. Harlean from Arkansas
Directions to Make Dishrags?
I make mine from cotton postal string or what they used to call butcher string, and I just use a J hook and a granny square pattern and just keep going until it is the size that I like. Made these for Christmas gifts for all the gals at our doctors offices...
Keeping Buns Warm in a Crockpot?
I did this last year for Thanksgiving dinner with my homemade crescent rolls. I baked them a couple days ahead of time. Then put a damp fingertip towel in the slow cooker, and a dry paper towel on top of the damp towel, arranged my rolls, covered all with another...
Looking for Inexpensive Reduced Fat Cheese?
We try to eat healthy, too, so we limit the cheese we include in our diet, I cut amounts in half for recipes, and we use Mozzerella and Fat Free Parmesan for most things. You just have to choose sometimes. Your health or your pocketbook. And what you save at...
Discount Grocery Stores Near Omaha, NE?
Hi Dana, Sorry that I cant answer your question, but I have a question for you. Im just curious. Are you also Dana from Arkansas? Harlean from Arkansas
Craft Ideas for Two Liter Bottles?
Here is a link to a pattern that I submitted previously. It is an Easter Basket pattern. You can find it here www.thriftyfun.com/tf62840172.tip.html It is PDF form and easily printed off. Harlean from Arkansas
High Fiber Recipes?
I use Benefiber in our orange juice; adding it to the water before I add the frozen concentrate. It stirs in and dissolves completely, has no color and no taste. I use 3 Tablespoons in a large can of juice. Harlean from Arkansas We also snack on these home...
ICE - In Case of Emergency
We keep a jar in a prominent location in the front of the fridge labeled (b)(u)ICE(/u)(/b). We have placed numbers of family members, lists of prescription drugs, and names and phone numbers of our doctors. I taped a notice to the front door Ice list in the...
Halloween Skeleton Decoration
Hey guys! This is an update to my pattern. I now have a picture of this skeleton made with art foam instead of wood. And although my directions say to assemble him with thread, I used staples with better results. Just separate the staples from the strip, push...
Eat A Leaf Of Poison Ivy To Prevent Reactions
The tiny pills that crafter Mary speaks of are available in the health food stores and (have also bought them on Amazon.com. They are about $8.00with shipping. They are Hylands Poison Ivy/Oak tablets. I have been using them and recommending them for about 30...
Using Less Baggies For Packed Meals?
I buy a huge roll of plastic wrap from Sams Wholesale Club. It is called Food Service Wrap and comes in a box. It is 12 inches wide and 300 feet long and the price is about $10.00. It sticks to itself and to plates and bowls much better than the brands that...
Use for Leftover Mashed Potatoes?
I always plan for leftovers of mashed potatoes. I sometimes cook 5 pounds at a meal, then take the leftovers and put about 2 cups in a sandwich size Zip Lock Bag. close the bag up except for one corner. Flatten the mashed potatoes, letting the air escape from...
Smelly Well Water?
We have a sulphur smell to our well water. Our solution is a whole house filter installed between the well pump and the water storage tank. Use a carbon filter in this housing. This filter system is available at Lowes. It eliminates sediment (b)(u) and(/u)(/b...
Can a Rat Snake Hurt a Rabbit?
I am not sure what a Rat Snake is, but we have Black Snakes here in Arkansas, and when we were raising rabbits for meat years ago, I was checking my nest boxes with babies in them one morning. These were built on the side of the cage, and had a lid on the top...
Using a Cycling Thermostat?
I am not sure how this will work, but I do know that for about 10 years, our electric company furnished a radio control unit for us to hook into our system. They could turn our air conditioner off with this unit. I loved it, because it saved us a lot of money...
Rhubarb Plants Turning Yellow?
It may be that you are in planting zone 9. Rhubarb does not do well in a warm climate. I grew up in Iowa where rhubarb patches just keep expanding year after year. But in Arkansas, the winters do not get cold enough so rhubarb, at best will grow for a couple...
Product Review: Vicks Vaporub?
I cleared up a very bad case of Psoriasis of the scalp last year with Vicks. I avoided a trip to the dermatologist with this remedy. It was so bad that my hair was falling out. I just rubbed it into my scalp and covered it with a shower cap for several hours...
"Heavenly" Peanut Butter Cookies
If you are diabetic or need to watch your calories, this recipe will work to make a sugar-free cookie. Just use 1 cup of Splenda instead of the sugar. The cookies will be a little more tender than with sugar, but are still very good. Harlean from Arkansas
Link: SynthaSite.com
The Sunshine logo was part of the template that I chose to use. They have many templates to choose from. However, the Yard Art banner was a photo that I had made with my digital camera. I cut the letters out of wood and painted them, then set them up in front...
Make Your Own Seasoning Salt
And if you are restricted to no salt, as my husband is, you can mix all the spices, omitting the salt, and it will be equivalent to the Mrs. Dash products that are available in the USA. Harlean from Arkansas
Using Norton Anti Virus With Windows Vista?
I used AVG for several years, and then began to have problems with the updates. So I changed to Avast which is also a free program, and is very good, in my opinion. It does a scan each time you log onto the internet, which slows it down temporarily, but this...
What Breed Is My Dog?
I agree with a couple others. My Dad had a Weimeraner when I was growing up, and she looked much like this picture. If I remember she also had an unusual color eyes. But, anyway, I think your dog may be this breed, or at least a mix that includes this breed...
Recipes For Cold Salads?
This is another recipe that you can use your own judgment in measurements. Kidney Bean Salad. Ingredients are Canned Dark Red Kidney Beans(juice included) chopped onion, chopped celery, Chopped hard boiled eggs. Combine all and add Miracle Whip (I use Smart...
Frugal Christmas Gift Ideas?
A batch of homemade fudge, divinity, or peanut brittle is always well received and enjoyed. Or a loaf of fresh home baked bread and a jar of homemade Jam. My mother is 82 and housebound, so my gift to her is to take her shopping and to lunch once a month for...
Well Water Tastes Bad?
I use a Pur Filter on my faucet. It just hooks to the cold water faucet on my kitchen sink. It pushes up to the side when I am not using it...such as drawing water to wash dishes, etc. Then when I want water to cook with or to drink, I pull it down and it filters...
Storing Peach Seeds Until Planted?
You can store them in the freezer in a ziplock bag, but really it is not too early to plant them, I would plant them in something like a CoolWhip container or a cottage cheese container. Put a few drainage holes in the bottom and make sure they dont dry out...
Looking For Okra Recipes?
The secret to good okra if you dont care for the slimy consistency, is to saute it in olive oil first, then add other ingredients. I usually add chopped onion and bell pepper, and continue to saute it. Then I may add a chopped (b)green(/b) tomato. Sometimes...
Veggie Pasta Salad
Sorry, I guess I left that out. I use 1 cup mayo to half a bottle of Italian Dressing. Harlean from Arkansas
Easiest Peanut Butter Cookies
You can use this same recipe for sugar-free cookies. Just use 1 cup of Splenda in place of 1 cup of sugar, and use a sugar-free peanut butter, such as Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter. Kroger also has a natural peanut butter in both creamy and crunchy that has...
Baby Cradle Purse
This is one of my patterns and I wanted to add some information. This is a vintage pattern and I understand that some of you are having trouble finding the small dolls. At the time I was making these, the dolls were available in craft stores, dime stores (remember...
Reducing Yeast Taste in Homemade Bread?
Here is the recipe that I use for white bread, although I bake whole grain breads mostly anymore. This recipe came from the husband of a friend. He made the mistake of criticizing her home made bread, and she said if he thought he could do better, he could...
Use A Frisbee As Inexpensive Hummingbird Shade
This is better than my idea...at least not as temporary. I have been using a Styrofoam picnic plate weighted down with a piece of wood. It isnt so much for the shade that I have added the plate on top. My feeders are hung in the open from a shepherds hook, and...
Cleaning Grill Racks With Ammonia
This also works great for the burner grates on your gas stove. I do mine about once a month, and their is no buildup of spills or grease on my ten year old stove. Harlean from Arkansas
Raised Beds With PVC Greenhouse Frame
We made a frame similar to this a few years ago, when we needed some temporary storage area. We made it tall enough to walk into, and used metal rods pounded into the ground to put the PVC on, and covered the area with a large blue tarp. It served the purpose...
Recipe For Creamy Macaroni And Cheese?
In my opinion, the easiest way to make creamy mac and cheese is to use Velveeta Cheese. Dice it up and stir it into the HOT macaroni, then add milk a little at a time until you get a creamy consistency. If necessary, reheat after adding the milk. Harlean from...
Will Birds Use Old Nests?
I am reading a book by Althea Sherman, an ornithologist who studied the birds in National, Iowa for 50 years. The book isBirds of an Iowa Dooryard and she studied all birds, but her real love was the Chimney Swift. She designed and built a tower in 1915 to...
Newspaper Ink on Wood Furniture?
You might try making a paste of baking soda and olive oil. The baking soda is slightly abrasive so may take up the ink stain without damaging the finish. And the olive oil will be better than water on the finish. I clean up many types of stains on my counter...
Can You Play Harmonica With Dentures?
My husband has been playing a harmonica for about 60 years. For the past 10 years, he has had full dentures. He uses a denture adhesive prior to playing, and plays beautifully. For most of those years, he just played alone for his own enjoyment, but for the...
How Do you Calculate Nutritional Information?
I have used a program for several years now that I really like for this purpose. You can download a free trial from www.recipecalc.com You can use it free for 20 days, then you must buy it to continue using it. The price is $24.00. As you type your recipe into...
Saving Money On Bread
Most of the bread outlet stores will sell feed Bread by the tray. This bread is still perfectly good, but you dont get to choose what you want. They are technically selling it to feed animals, and I have bought trays for the critters for $1.00 a tray which...
No Bake Pie Recipes Using Raw Eggs?
I just read recently that although it is possible to have and egg with salmonella, it is very unlikely since about 1 in 8000 eggs have it. Harlean from Arkansas
What Bird Chirps At Night?
The bird that comes to my mind even though it is not a chirp, but I love to hear is the Whippoorwill. He calls late at night in late spring and early summer. A mournful cry that sounds like his name..(b)Whip(/b)-poor-(b)will(/b) (b)Whip(/b)-poor-(b)will(/b...
Keep Losing Excel Shortcuts From Toolbar?
I dont know the answer to your problem, but I know of a wonderful site where you can get the answer. The site is http://asktcl.com/ and she has a weekly newsetter also. I have been getting her newsletters for about 8 years now, and still learn something new...
Meals That Can Be Prepared in Advance?
If you truly want to eat healthy, you should stop using hamburger helper and look up recipes for these dishes on the internet to make from scratch. Go to Google and type in search words such as healthy food recipes Take the time to study a little about what...
Using a 1950's Sunbeam Mix Master Mixer?
I had a sunbeam mixer from the early 60s. I used it until it wore out...about 35 years, and wish they would still make them. They did put out a Classic model a few years ago. It looked like mine did, but it sure didnt work like mine. I used it only a few times...
Attracting Hummers To Your Garden
Be selective when you buy your feeders. I bought a couple that when it rains, the rainwater enters the feeder through the tubes and dilutes the nectar. I solved the problem by poking a small hole in the center of a Styrofoam picnic plate and threading the hanger...
Key To My Heart
What a wonderful idea...quite creative, and I am sure it will be a cherished treasure for all times. Harlean from Arkansas
Uses for Oatmeal Containers?
Use them for freezing cookies, dinner rolls, crackers, or potato chips. They will stay fresh, but not draw moisture and get frost covered. Also protects them from getting smashed and broken in the freezer. Harlean from Arkansas
What is Extrusion Technology?
luvmygingerkids is exactly correct. Years ago, I worked in a plastic extrusion factory. We made everything from Television cases to telephones. We also made Maybelline Compact cases, handles for steam irons, etc. These items were made by putting plastic pellets...
Making 55 Easy Princess Wands?
I once made Spiders from Sweetgum balls and attached them with an elastic thread to a stick. I went to a florist and bought the sticks they use for balloon bouquets. They look like a straw, but are a lot sturdier and a little bit longer than a drinking straw...
Seasoning Veggies and Beans?
My secret ingredient since we are on a low-fat diet and trying to cut down on red meats, is to add a little liquid smoke to replace the Ham or Bacon in recipes. It will fool your taste buds. I use this when I make Bean Soup. Another trick I use to make great...
Why do Recipes Call for Both Water and Milk?
I dont know about the bread machine recipes, but usually the water that the recipe calls for is used to proof the yeast, or to soften it before adding to your recipe. I choose to substitute water for the milk that is called for in the recipe. Especially with...
Poison Oak Warning For January
The best remedy for Poison Ivy or Poison Oak is available at many health food stores. It is Hylands Poison Ivy/Oak tablets. This is a homeopathic product...no drugs or chemicals, just natural organic ingredients. I have been using and recommending this product...
Giving Sunflower Seeds to Squirrels?
I have large trays(mine are old cookie sheets from a commercial bakery) that I put my seeds in for the squirrels.You could use serving trays, cookie sheets,pie pans or pizza pans. This is especially helpful when we have snow. If the seed gets covered with snow...
Home Remedies for Dog Joint Pain?
I dont know about home remedies, but I have an inexpensive treatment that we use for our 3 Rat Terriers. Two of them are 14 years old and the other one is 11 years old. We give them each a baby aspirin (easily done if you wrap it in a bit of cheese. Wal Mart...
Scrubbing Bubbles® Automatic Shower Cleaner Reviews?
I havent tried it because I thought that it would only clean a strip instead of the whole interior (and another person confirmed my thought). I have had really good luck with the shower spray from the Dollar store. I have a walk in shower with glass sides and...
Making Crafts for Money?
I have never seen a legitimate job doing crafts from home.Or anything else for that matter. With all the people looking for this type of work, the (b)real jobs(/b)would require no advertising for help. It seems to me they would have waiting lists. My suggestion...
Wedding Reception Room Wall Decorations?
When my daughter got married, she and her husband gathered up photos from their childhood years...school pictures, etc. and displayed them around the room. I searched through my pictures and gave my daughter several. I was worried about losing them in the mail...
Debbi Meyer's Green Bags?
I have not used them,have not even checked on the price, but I (b)LOVE(/b) the new Reynolds Vacuum Sealer that you can buy at WalMart in the grocery store. It is found where you find the Ziplock bags. They are very inexpensive, and the special bags are inexpensive...
Reusing Gift Wrappings
I have always loved the idea of gift bags because I hate to wrap gifts. They are becoming so popular now, that I have decided to make them in different prints and different sizes as a new item for my pre-Christmas craft shows this Fall. I just have to decide...
Turn A Photo Into A Window Outside
I Love this idea! What a gift it would make!! Harlean from Arkansas
Snoopy Tree Ornament
Unfortunately, my pattern for Snoopys Santa Hat didnt transfer in the correct size. The good news is that the change is easy to make. Just extend the bottom line of the triangle to 4 inches and then draw the side lines to intersect at the top. Hope this is...
Guess What You Are Buying Me For Christmas?
This brought a smile to my face....remembering one year when my husband brought in several wrapped packages and put them under the tree. I asked him who they were for, and he said, These are to me....from you! So that was the year that I didnt know what I got...
Angel Clip Necklace
I LOVE this idea! Great gift item for the kids to make for Mom, Grandma, and pretty enough to wear with any outfit. Will be using this next year with my Great granddaughter who is 6 and loves making crafts. Harlean from Arkansas
How to Store Marshmallows?
I open the bag as soon as I get home from the store, pour the entire bag into a gallon size ziplock, and add about 2 Tablespoons confectioners sugar. Zip the bag and shake to coat the marshmallows. They will stay soft, and not stick together for a long time...
Stove Top Teriyaki Pork Loin?
I do not have a recipe Per Se for the Loin you are wanting, but do have experience with pressure pans. My suggestion would be to brown the loin, place on the rack inside the pressure pan. Since it is already flavored with Teryaki, it doesnt need much in the...
Full Dinners That Can be Frozen and Reheated?
Mashed potatoes probably wont work very well on a plate, but it works well to freeze them in Ziplock bags. I use sandwich size bags, fill them, and press as much air out as possible. Make them flat so they will stack in the freezer. When you are ready to use...
Preventing Frozen Dinners From Getting Excess Ice in Them?
The secret is to eliminate as much air as possible from your package before you freeze it. One method is the Food Saver. I have also had good luck with Press and Seal. I cut one piece and lay it on the counter, sticky side up. Lay my food in the center, then...
Ideas For Marketing Farmhouse Style Aprons?
Look up the information for selling your products on Google Base. It is fairly easy to set up, and there is no fee for the ads. You can place an ad for 30 days, and then you can repeat it after it expires if you like. If you need more information, contact me...
Dog with Yeast Infection on Skin and in Throat?
We have a Terrier that started out with a flea problem, but continued to scratch even after treating him for fleas. He scratched until his body looks like what you have described. We rubbed him daily for several days with Hand Lotion, and his hair began to...
