May 3, 2006

Grandma's Shrimp ButterBeat all ingredients with mixer until light and fluffy. Serve on bread rounds or with crackers.

 

Sausage and Peppers (Freezer Meal)This versatile, crowd pleasing favorite can be served over pasta accompanied by garlic bread, salad and a great Cabernet for an elegant, easy dinner party. Or, serve on Italian Bread as a special addition to a casual barbecue.

 

Easy Fruit DipMix the two together well, and chill until thickened. Dab it on fruit salad or dip your fruit into it.

 

Lowfat Chocolate Pie (1 gram per slice)We are all on a lowfat diet now and desserts have become non existent because of the high fat! Here is my recipe for a low fat chocolate pie.

 

Extra Crispy ChickenThis recipe is a clone of KFC, but tastes like the real thing. A little work but less expensive than KFC chicken.

 

Spicy Turkey Chili (Freezer Meal)This heart-healthy dish is low fat, high fiber and packed with protein and veggies. However, the authentic South West flavor will ensure that it is a family favorite when topped with shredded cheddar and coupled with warm corn bread.

 

Poll: Do you own a boat? Today's poll asks: Do you own a boat?

 

Little Soap BarsThose little soap bars that you get at motels and as samples go to good use by the side of the kitchen sink and wherever else you need just a little bit of soap. I save all of mine (even when they are slightly used) and put them in a bag to use up at home.

 

Some Great Tips for Container GardeningI recently attended a Garden Day put on by the Master Gardeners in my area. I walked down aisles full of vendors selling the latest plants and gardening gear, ate lunch out of a flower pot and attended several interesting classes. Here are a few tips I picked up on container gardening.

 

Save Money on Boat CurtainsYou can even save dollars on boating - In a well known marine store I saw boat curtains for $22 for a panel. We used bargain valance ruffles from the dollar store and instead of $100+ for curtains, we got easily installed ones that are perfectly good for $5!

 

Jupiter's Beard in the Path GardenJupiter's Beard is a good cut flower. It self seeds. They need little water and is surviving in poor clay soil here on the "Path Garden". It could be a weed soon.

 

A Guide to Dividing PerennialsIt might seem counter-intuitive, but there are three very good reasons for chopping through the roots of your perfectly healthy perennials to divide them. First off, you'll regain control over the too-vigorous flowers that are trying to conquer every available square inch of your garden.

 

Still FrugalI came from a family of 10 kids. With 12 people in the house, we had to be frugal - that's all we knew. My Mom, never bought anything that she couldn't make. She made fabulous meals that stretched with enough for leftovers.

 

Muddy Foot Prints on CarpetHere's a tip for dealing with wet, muddy foot print on carpet. Sprinkle cornstarch over the foot print and let it dry. Once dry, vacuum up the cornstarch.

 

My Frugal Life: Thrift Store ShoppingI grew up in a family of 4 children, a stay-at-home mom, and a father who didn't make a lot of money. We had everything we needed but I did wear a lot of boys PJs inherited from my older brother and cousins.

 

You Know You're in the South When . . .You know you're in the south when ...

 

There are two worlds...There are two worlds; the world that we can measure with line and rule, and the world that we feel with our hearts and imagination.

 

Chip (Border Collie Mix) and Pixel (Pomeranian)Chip is a 5 year old Border Collie Mix and Pixel the Pomeranian lived to be 15.

 

Using Mail in Cards from MagazinesThe first thing I do upon receiving my AARP magazine is tear out those pesky mail-in reply cards that make the magazine difficult to handle, but before pitching them, I check for blanks. Since I do not regularly stock postcards, these are a handy substitute for business-related needs.

 

Applying Texture to Walls?I have a painted sheetrock wall. I was wondering if I can texture it with sheetrock mud. Then repaint it. Has anyone ever done this and was it succesful?

 

Make Your Own Sugar Cubes?I would like to know if anyone knows how to make sugar cubes? My DH only likes to use the cubes and they can be expensive.

 

Countertop Stained With Whitening Toothpaste?My children stained my dark gray formica countertop with toothpaste (whitening toothpaste). Is there a way to restore the color or draw out the "bleached" stain?

 

14 Year Old Birthday Party Ideas?My soon to be 14 year old daughter wants to have her birthday party at home - again. Last year we had pizza, they hung out and after the boys left, the girls watched movies during the sleep over. This year my daughter wants the same. About 8 girls and 6 boys. Any suggestions for activities?

 

Deodorizing a Leather Chair?My husband's leather chair is beginning to acquire an odor. What can I do to eliminate it. I have already cleaned with leather cleaner but to no avail.

 

Hamster Cage Smells Bad?My son has a female hamster. Her cage smells so bad eventhough I clean it frequently. It smells after the first 24 hours. Any ideas?

 

Blood on a Nylon Shower Curtain?I need some ideas in getting blood off a nylon shower curtain. I have a son who is slightly careless with his insulin shots and gets spots on the curtain. I have tried pre wash, wash, etc. but no luck. I really like the curtain, but the stains are unattractive, to say the least!

 

Nut Cup Favors?Remember the little nut cups that were plastic and were given as a favor at ladies luncheons? Does anyone have any idea how I could make a similar one or a way to decorate a little cup to make it an attractive favor.

 

Adding Fennel to Spaghetti Sauce?Have you ever heard of adding fennel seed to your homemade spaghetti sauce? Is it any good?

 

Decorating and Childproofing a Nursery?My husband and I recently found out that we are expecting. What can we do to decorate the white walls and make it seem more like a nursery? Also, any other childproofing, toy/supplies buying, or the like tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

Slipper Knitting Patterns?To all those who knit... I need slipper patterns! No crochet patterns please, just knitting patterns. This is for charity.

 

Buying an Olive or Cherry Pitter (Cherry Stone)?I am in need of an olive/cherry pitter. I have looked many places and searched on the internet but can not seem to locate one. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where I should search?