May 5, 2005

Oatmeal PattiesThis recipe can be doubled if desired. This goes well at potlucks, no one ever guesses it's not meat!

 

Perky Cinnamon Apple JuicePour apple juice and ginger ale into a 30 cup electric percolator; place spices an candy in percolator basket. Per through complete cycle.

 

Hot Cranapple GloggCombine first 3 ingredients in a large Dutch oven; let stand until sugar dissolves, stirring often. Tie raisins, cloves cinnamon stick, cardamom, and, if desired, almonds in a cheesecloth bag; add spice bag to juice mixture, and cook over low heat just until hot.

 

Hot Pineapple NectarCombine first 4 ingredients in a Dutch oven. Tie broken cinnamon sticks, cloves, and cardamom in a cheesecloth bag; add spice bag to juice mixture, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes.

 

Four Fruit WassailCombine apple juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, lemon juice and 4 cinnamon sticks in a large Dutch oven. Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 30 minutes.

 

Ask Merchants for "Curves" DiscountsLadies, if you're a member at Curves for Women 30 minute exercise gym, remember to ask stores in your area if they give discounts to Curves members. Some in our area do!

 

Cleaning Mold In The Bathtubhe cheapest and best way to get rid of mold in the bathtub area is to mix bleach and water in a spray bottle. Spray and walk away! Turn on the fan in the bathroom or open a window for an hour or so. You can rinse if you like, but you don't have to.

 

Juicy Juice Container Bird Feeder or Bird HouseI made this bird feeder from a juicy juice container. All I did was cut out the holes in the side (hot glue around the sharp edges) and some holes for the string (nylon) and the dowel rods. Paint it with acrylic paints that are waterproof.

 

Vitamin E for Sun and Wind BurnsI recently got a terrible sunburn/windburn while at an all day air show. I was blistered and swollen, it was so bad. I've found THE cure for the worst of sunburns - Solarcaine sunburn pain for the pain plus an anti-inflammatory.

 

Tips from a CashierI work as a cashier at a very large and popular retail store. Opposed to what some might think, it can be a difficult job. Help us keep our sanity by considering these tips:

 

A Mother's Day Surprise for a New GrandmaA great way to tell a Mom that she is a Grandma-to-be is to show up at her house on mother's day. For example, if you found out you're pregnant before Mother's Day, show up with a cake saying the name of all the mother's in the house... and then yours.

 

Homemade Duvet CoversDuvet covers can be very expensive in the dept. or linen store. I make my own using flat sheets from the discount store ($15 rather than $40 or more.) I sew the sheets together, wrong side out on 3 sides, add use velcro or buttons on the 4th side.

 

Recipe For A Happy MarriageRecipe for a Happy Marriage: To an overflowing cup of love, add faith in God and faith in each other. These ingredients will help dissolve bitterness or misunderstanding. Never let bitter spirits brew overnight. Sweeten with laughter and understanding.

 

Low Season vs High SeasonThe best time to vacation is when it's 'low season'. High season is when it's really busy (more crowded) and things will be higher priced. Also, remember, weekends will be higher priced than weekdays, whether you're thinking air fares, motel rooms, eats, or car rentals.

 

How To Know When Your Car Is In The Garage Far EnoughTie a foam ball to a string from the ceiling long enough to touch the windshield of the car and when your car hits the ball, you are inside far enough.

 

Free Gifts Worth More Than MoneyYou don't want to spend money on a gift that won't be appreciated. You don't want to give cash or a gift card that can be lost or expire. Yet you wish to give something. What is a frugal person to do?

 

Stuffed Bear Gift IdeaAfter my Grandmother and Grandfather passed away, my Aunt Linda took some of their old coats and made bears out of them. She attached some beads and made some pretty necklaces for the female bears so they would resemble my Grandparents.

 

Shopping at Price Clubs and Discount StoresBeware of shopping at price clubs or shopping clubs. We got a membership last year and I don't think that I saved enough to justify it. Watch your unit prices there as well. I find that food isn't really a savings.

 

Arizona CactusI was taking a picture of this cactus between Camp Verde and Payson in Arizona. The best side of the cactus required that I was on the sunny side of it.

 

Make Patterns With Exam Table PaperI begged my MD for a roll of paper (from the exam table) to use to trace my patterns. I then mark them with the # and size and put the new pattern, the original and instructions in a plastic ziploc bag. They are easy to use and store and I can make the different sizes.

 

Keep Recycling By Your GarbageKeep your recycling container right beside your garbage can in the kitchen. I was leaving mine by the porch and it was just too easy to throw things into the garbage.

 

Sharing a CabWhen taking a cab, to cut expenses, you might consider sharing a cab with another person. Another thought, is make sure the cabbie resets the meter to zero, before he starts for your destination.

 

Dealing With An Abusive Husband?I need some advice. My marriage of 17 years is falling apart. I cannot afford to live on my own yet. In May of 2006 I will graduate with my BA in social work and should be able to live alone.

 

Solutions for Soft Fingernails?I was wondering if anyone has any ideas for something that is good to use for soft, weak fingernails. Mine are so soft that I can bend them forward. Any ideas will be appreciated.

 

Recipes Using Instant Oatmeal?My family strongly dislikes the packets of instant oatmeal I thought they would enjoy. I have more than half of a box left (and six others I purchased at 50 cents each left over). Any ideas on what I can do with the oatmeal? Can I make cookies out of instant oatmeal?

 

Spray Paint For Cars?What kind of spray paint can I use on my car to cover up permanant marker and also make my car shine? It is old so I don't care too much but my car was written on with a permanant marker, not just in one place either, all over it.

 

Naturally Grow Hair?Does anyone know a natural way to grow my hair, my hair fell out from chemicals, and I really want to grow it back. Any suggestions?

 

Sewing Material With Sequins?I'm having a hard time sewing with material that is covered with sequins. I tried a small zig-zag stich and it didn't work.

 

FAUXS & FLORAL Pattern #FX-587 07697 - Page 138?I am looking for 2 double rolls of discontinued wallpaper from the FAUXS & FLORAL book. Pattern # FX-587 07697 - Page 138

 

Drying Couch Cushions?About a week ago we came across a free sectional sofa! After shampooing the couch and soaking the cushions with Oxi Clean, it's almost like new. However, I have had the cushions out on the porch drying for about 3 days now and the "core" of the cushions are still wet.

 

Land Clearing Tips?Tip for clearing land of scrubs, trees and brush to allow for gardening or building. Post your ideas.

 

Organizing Recycling Items?Organizing items, like newspapers, bottles and cans, that you plan to recycle. Post your ideas.

 

Airport Tips When It Is Difficult To Walk?I have another question about my Florida trip. I don't walk very well. My question is when I go to the departure gate does that flight 1234 depart from the same gate every day or does it change? I am trying to prepare myself for how much walking I will be doing.

 

Can I Purchase Bats?O.K., some people may think me daft or more accurately "bats". I live in an area of Colorado, right near a river in the mountains, where there should be bats.

 

Helping a Friend Deal With Adversity?A good friend has recently found out that her teenage son has a serious non-curable but non-fatal disease. He has recently had 2 surgeries and may face more in the future. The future will certainly require more hospital stays for tests and treatments.

 

Removing Tape Goo From Walls?How do you get tape goo off walls?

 

Fabric Storage Tips?Tips for storing and organizing fabric for crafts. Post your ideas.

 

Looking for Plastic Clothespins with Hooks?This is a request to Linne or anyone else that knows where to obtain heavy duty plastic clothespins with hooks.