July 7, 2006

Spicy CheeseburgersIn a large bowl, combine the first 10 ingredients. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into nine patties...

 

Apricot ZipBlend all ingredients except cherries, in blender or with beater. Pour into punch bowl or individual glasses...

 

Chocolate Cherry Valentine CakeThis flavorful cake is great for Valentine's day or any day to show someone special that you care.

 

Chocolate-Silk Mousse CakeChocolate-Silk Mousse Cake recipe. One day or up to three days ahead: Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Butter bottom and side of an 8 inch springform pan.

 

Seven Layer Magic BarsSeven Layer Magic Bars will be a big hit at any party. They are quick and easy to make too.

 

Cherry StrudelCherry Strudel recipe. To prepare filling, in a medium saucepan, mix together granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cornstarch. Stir in cherries, water, lemon zest, and vanilla.. Cook over medium heat until bubbling and thickened...

 

Sweet Potato Pecan PieSweet Potato Pecan Pie recipe. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. With mixer, beat hot yams and butter until smooth. Add remaining ingredients except crust and pecan topping; mix well. Pour into crust. Bake 20 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare Pecan topping. . .

 

Apricot Bundt Coffee CakeApricot Bundt Coffee Cake recipe. Prepare coffeecake: Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat together sugar, butter, vanilla, and almond extract at low mixer speed for 1 minute. Increase speed to medium high and beat for 4 more minutes...

 

Cheesy Pizza DinnerPrepare dinner as directed on box. Stir in remaining ingredients, and heat thoroughly.

 

Hearty Pork ChopsIn a large resealable plastic bag, combine the first 6 ingredients; add the pork chops. Seal the bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight...

 

Freezing GingerA Guide to Freezing Ginger. Look for roots that are that are plump and unbroken. Skin should be pliable and not dry or shriveled. Young ginger will have a soft, pinkish-colored skin and a slightly more intense flavor than older roots.

 

Freezing FruitSelect fruits for freezing that are ripe (or have started to ripen), have good color and are free from cuts, scars and mold. They should feel firm in texture (not hard), be free of soft spots and have a sweet odor.

 

Hot Weather TipsTips for dealing with hot weather. Post your ideas.

 

Inexpensive Solar DrapesFor an inexpensive alternative to solar drapes, go to a camping store and buy emergency solar blankets. Tacky glue can be used to make a pocket for a tension rod to slip through.

 

Add Eggshells To HouseplantsCrushed egg shells gives house plants and flower plants a growth burst...

 

Freezing Field Peas (Black-Eyed Peas)A Guide to Freezing Field Peas (Black-Eyed Peas). Field peas are called by many names, including southern peas, cowpeas, field peas, crowder peas, and black-eyed peas. For freezing, select well-filled flexible pods with tender seeds.

 

Freezing Green TomatoesA Guide to Freezing Green Tomatoes. Freezing radically alters the texture of tomatoes, but they can still be used successfully in certain recipes after freezing. Select firm, undamaged green tomatoes.

 

Heating Pad for AnimalsIf you're needing to keep a small animal warm, but you find a heating pad for humans to be too hot, simply fill a glass bottle with warm water.

 

Freezing HerbsA Guide to Freezing Herbs. The leaves of most herbs will appear limp and discolored after being frozen, and are not suitable for use as garnishes. However, they are still excellent when used in soups, sauces, salad dressings and cooked dishes.

 

Buyer Protection For Online Auction PurchasesPayPal and other programs provide buyer protection for online auctions. This can help resolve disputes if a product isn't delivered as promised. The problem with this protection is that it doesn't necessarily cover the full price of your bid.

 

Freezing Green BeansA Guide to Freezing Green Beans. Select young tender pods when the seed is first formed.

 

Freezing LeeksLeeks look like giant scallions, only with bulbs that are straight and cylindrical. Look for crisp, fresh, dark green leaves and stalks that are firm and pliable.

 

Freezing GreensA Guide to Freezing Greens. Select young, tender green leaves. Leaves on greens like spinach should be at least 6 inches long to harvest; they can be as long as 10 inches on other greens (chard). Harvest early in the day before heat from the sun causes greens to become limp.

 

Freezing PeasA Guide to Freezing Green Peas. Harvest when pods are filled with young, tender peas that have not become starchy. Peas should be harvested and processed as quickly as possible after pods are full to retain the sweetest flavor.

 

Note the Shipping Charge When Bidding On Online AuctionsYou can find good deals at online auctions but one trick that some sellers play is they offer a low bid price for the product, but have a really high shipping price. Never bid on an item until you have calculated the cost of your bid and the shipping charge.

 

Inexpensive Hair ColorInexpensive Hair Color. I tint my own hair with success using regular peroxide on dirty hair for copper highlights and then using combined red/blonde colored shampoo/conditioners, etc. However, I have a grey/blonde patch on my right temple that is resistant...

 

Hot Weather CookingTips for cooking in hot weather.

 

Freezing FishFreeze fresh as soon as possible after catching-within 24 hours. Keep fish on ice until you're ready to process.

 

Silk Wedding FlowersWe are using silk flowers to do our flower arrangements. The bouquets for the bride, attendants, groom, and best men will also be silk. The wedding cake will be outstanding in silks and will stand on a wedding cloth.

 

Freezing GarlicA Guide to Freezing Garlic. Garlic can be frozen either as cloves or as a whole head, but it will lose some of it's texture and its potent flavor during freezing.