October 10, 2005

Ham and Bean SoupSeveral years ago when I could barely afford to eat, I found myself desperately looking for a way I could make something cheap, nutritious, tasty, and that would last. I invented a bean soup recipe.

 

Beer Can ChickenThis is a delicious moist chicken.

 

Tuna ChowderHeat just to boiling and add pepper to taste. Makes 6-8 generous servings.

 

Mini Pumpkin TartsThese no bake mini pumpkin tarts are a delicious treat to whip up for your next holiday party.

 

Oyster BisqueChop oysters; set aside. In medium saucepan, cook celery and onion in margarine until tender. Stir in flour, salt and white pepper. Cook over low heat 1 minute, stirring constantly...

 

Making Ice Last LongerCover the ice in a picnic cooler with foil to help it last longer. Keep water in your canteen cooler by wrapping the canteen in foil.

 

A Steamer for CleaningGet a small steamer used for cleaning. Use the jet tip and when cleaning the bathroom it shoots a strong jet of steam and makes quick work of any and all corners.

 

Bogey (Long Haired Dachshund)Bogey (Bogart) is 4 yrs old. He is my dachshund black and tan long hair. We got him from a breeder in Connecticut that we became friends with! He has a squeeky chicken leg he likes to play with. My son likes to get him to play!

 

Handmade Hobo CostumeHandmade costumes are fun. They can dress like a hobo with a stick and bandana item...

 

Pack for a 2 Week Vacation in a BackpackPut in 3 tank tops, 3 t-shirts, one pair of sandals, one sweater, light raincoat, one dress, one skirt, one pair of jeans and one pair of Keds.

 

Storing NeedlesI used an empty mechanical pencil lead container to store needles in.

 

Camp Clothes Washing MachineMake a camp washing machine with a five gallon bucket and a toilet plunger. The plunger does a good job of agitating the water.

 

Taliesin in the BathAlways watch your child in the bath, never leave him or her alone!

 

Opening Nail Polish BottlesI always have trouble opening nail polish bottles, especially if they have been used more than once.

 

Excuses for Not CleaningDisplay a few get well cards prominently in your home. Anyone coming in will think you've been too ill to clean!

 

Inexpensive Camping BowlAn empty plastic soda bottle, cut off to a convenient height, will work as a camp bowl. You may want to sandpaper the cut to smooth the edge.

 

HoudiniHoudini loves his perch on our cat pole! He's 8 yrs old and is a shorthair white with orange areas. He was in a litter from a stray and the lady was taking him to the pound the next day! So, I rescued him and he has been my best friend ever since. I am a senior and cannot work part-time anymore because of serious health problems. So, he is such a comfort to me. He follows me around my home and sleeps close by me every night. He loves a laser light and will even chase it up walls as far as he can go! He is the best that a cat can be.

 

Keep Boxes for JewelryIf you're a sales rep. for Avon, or some other jewelry company. The items you get for show or for very cheaply yourself. Keep all the boxes, even if you wear some of the items. Keep them in their original boxes. This will keep them from getting scratched up in your jewelry box or where ever.

 

Inexpensive Fire GrillGrills from old ovens or barbecues can be used for fire grills. Don't use refrigerator shelves as they will release toxic gasses when heated.

 

Frisbee for Reinforcing Paper PlatesA Frisbee will add support to paper plates when the plate is place inside the Frisbee.

 

What Bottle Will Fit The Swiffer Mop?My neighbor gave me swiffer wet mop. I do not want to spend all the money on cleaning stuff so I will make my own. Does anyone know what kind of bottle would fit the swiffer? It had no bottle when he gave to me.

 

Making a Canoe for Math Class?I am making a canoe in math class. It must float. Should I use paper mache or foam?

 

Disco Night Club Themed Party?I am planning a disco night club theme party for active seniors (mostly women). Any theme planning, decorating, food ideas on a budget would be helpful. Last time one of the things we had was a non-alcohol "bar". Any recipes or fun, but not wild, ideas would be great. I am looking forward to giving these women a grand time.

 

Fun Entertainment Ideas for a Home in the Country?We just bought some land that we are planning to set up for living pretty soon now. It's kind of far out from town so we want to make it mega fun for guests to be more excited about driving out. We have some ideas like an archery corse, a swing, a tree house, hamocks and a guest room library.

 

Painting By Bill Pluck in 1959?I aquired a large oil painting on wood at a auction in Charleston, SC. It is signed Bill Pluck 1959 and is a mountain scene with a barn and farmer wearing overalls. It could be appalachian and is a little folk artish. I really love it, but, it haunts me. If the artist is no longer alive, he may have children or grandchildren that would love to have it. Anyone with any info please contact me by me.

 

Looking for Privacy After Divorce?My partner has been divorced for 12 months. He has two children with her. She left him, but he is still in the family home which is up for sale. The house will be split 60/40 to her when it is sold, but she still has a key for the house and comes and goes when she pleases.

 

Inexpensive, Unscented Liquid Soap?I have been looking for inexpensive, unscented liquid soap. I like to make my own bubble bath soap. I found some at a whole foods store, but it seems to be so expensive. Any other ideas?

 

Removing Superglue From Skin?What can I use to remove superglue from skin?

 

Discolored Toilet Water?I have a toilet in a newly added bathroom which sat for about 2 years. On renewing use of the toilet, it began showing a brown, oily residue. It looks like rust, but is not. It wipes off easily with a finger swipe. It is in the tank and the bowl. It is even in the supply line. Has anyone ever seen this problem before? This residue does not manifest itself in any other fixture in the house.

 

Sticky Residue From Ficus Plant?One of my ficus plants is leaving a sticky residue on the floor. Can I do something to eliminate what I am calling 'pitch' on the leaves and surrounding area from this ficus? And is this plant still healthy?

 

Painting Discolored Grout?My kitchen grout was white when I moved in and now after 3 months,it's turning darker, I am sure it's not mildew, it's just getting dirty. I cleaned it with every available cleaner, but nothing has worked. Does anyone have some ideas on how to make it white again? I am thinking about grout paint, is it a good idea?

 

Lilies Won't Bloom?I have two peace lilies that were given to me by a relative. One has struggled from the beginning. It wouldn't get any taller, only got new growth and bushed out.

 

Removing a Singer Sewing Machine From a Cabinet?I have an older Singer sewing machine. I wish to take the machine out of the cabinet, but do not know how to get wire out of hole on the side. It has a box inside for knee use instead of on floor. Any ideas?

 

Turkey Float Ideas?I need easy and inexpensive homecoming float ideas using a turkey mascot.

 

Glass Art Ideas?I am doing a DT project and need some ideas for ways to treat glass (eg: stained glass, etching).

 

Help With Decorating Dyslexia?I have decorating dyslexia. I am stuck on what wall color for my living room and what type and color of curtains. The furniture is a forest green, the tables have iron legs in dull black with a touch of gold, the carpet is wheat. New lamps that are tiffany mission with amber, green, and a touch of red are going in.

 

Removing Paint From Electrical Outlets?I have been painting and have managed to get paint on the plug in receptacles. How can I get the dried paint off of these without shocking myself and messing up the outlets?

 

Removing Glitter From Shoes?I bought a pair of Skechers at the thrift store, the only problem is one has silver glitter on the design and the other looks like it has been remove. How could I remove the glitter from the design that still has it?

 

Lightweight Mummy Halloween Decoration?My place of work has a door decorating contest every year. This year, my office is planning on entering. We are in need of suggestions on how to make a lightweight mummy, so that we can suspend it from the top of the door frame. Any idea of what materials we could use that would be lightweight and cheap?

 

Hardwood Floors Chipping?The apartment I rent has old hardwood floors. They are starting to chip. Is their anything I can do to cover or fix this problem? My landlord does not want paint on floor.