April 2, 2008

Savory CarrotsSimmer. Add hot, drained carrots. Mix. Add onions, green peppers or red peppers, finely chopped; refrigerate.

 

Strawberries Over Molded Devonshire CreamIn saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over water, then dissolve over low heat. Stir into sour cream; set aside. In mixing bowl, beat cream, gradually adding sugar until soft peaks form.

 

Curried Pumpkin SoupThe spices can be adjusted to your individual tastes. In large pan cook onion, garlic, and curry in the butter or margarine for a few minutes until onion is tender. Add pumpkin, nutmeg, sugar and the bay leaf.

 

Mom's Chicken SaladCut up cooked chicken breasts into small pieces. Cut up and add eggs. Add about 1/4 of a jar of sweet relish, be sure to drain the juice before adding. Add mayo to taste.

 

My Son's CheesecakeCream together cream cheese and sugar. Add beaten eggs, one at a time. Using mixer on high, mix for a minimum of 4 minutes. Pour into shell and bake in 350 degree F oven until done.

 

Creole Meat LoafCombine all ingredients for meat loaf. Shape into a loaf and place in an 8 1/2x4 1/2 inch lightly greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour. Cool 10 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare sauce by melting butter in a small saucepan.

 

Heart Healthy Macaroni and CheeseCook macaroni in boiling water until tender; drain. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Melt margarine in saucepan. Blend in flour, salt, pepper, and mustard. Gradually stir in milk; cook until thick and bubbly.

 

Homemade Puff PastryYou can save a lot of money by making your own puff pastry. Store bought puff pastry is pretty expensive, especially if one is buying a lot. Many people do not even know that one can actually make puff pastry and save a lot of money.

 

Pin Pal PincushionPlace this pincushion miss on your dresser for a pin keeper or top her off with ornamental hat pins. These would be great to make for Mother's Day or birthdays.

 

First Birthday Party AdviceAs with any mom, when my son turned one I wanted him to have the best party ever. After I had looked at several party themes, I finally decided on the Sesame Street Beginnings theme.

 

Fancy Non-Sew Tulle Dress-Up TutuFor under $4 you can make your little ballerina a super easy dress-up tutu. Here's how: In the wedding area of your local craft store you can buy 6 inch x 25 yard rolls of tulle in various colors for $2.99 each and a 10 yard spool of 1/4 inch satin ribbon for under 50 cents.

 

Keep Track of Events With Your Cell PhoneWhen I'm needing to make a note for myself for a future event, etc. I use the "calendar" option on my cell phone. Bring up the calendar, pick the needed date, and leave my message to myself.

 

Winnie (Bouvier)Winnie is a 9 year old Bouvier. She was a gift. She rolls around in the snow and enjoys hanging out on the sofa with the family. She wooos.

 

My Frugal Life: A Love Affair With Used GoodsI came from a home where everything was bought new. My parents would never buy "someone else's junk". They were frugal, but we did without many things because there wasn't enough money for everything.

 

Let Butter Reach Room Temperature Before UsingButter at room temperature retains 90% of it's flavor; refrigerated (cold) butter loses 90% of it's flavor. ALWAYS let butter reach room temperature before using!

 

Decorating In Cottage StyleBecause cottage style is all about re-cycling and re-purposing what you have, look around your kitchen and in your storage areas for "orphaned" kitchen and house-wares which can be put to use in your sunroom, on your deck or patio.

 

Homemade Dental ProductsHere are some inexpensive dental self-care recipes: Make mouthwash with 1/2 water and 1/2 hydrogen peroxide - no alcohol, and it kills bacteria (Keep in dark bottle to preserve the peroxide).

 

Using a Soda Bottle for YarnIf you knit or crochet, an empty 2-liter soda bottle is useful. Cut off the bottom and place a skein of yarn into it, after you've started the skein from the middle, and feed the yarn through the bottle neck.

 

Craft: Watercolor Bob The BuilderI created these very cool pictures for my son's Christmas present. I used his favorite books, tracing paper, watercolor paper, watercolor pencils, and a paint brush. Most of the craft supplies can be purchased at your local Walmart.

 

Use Vegetable Shortening for Very Dry SkinIf you suffer from dry skin, or just want a good moisturizer, try Crisco. I know it sounds gross, but it really works well, is cheap and sinks in. The only problem I have found is that my dogs follow me trying to lick it off.

 

Using Almond ExtractAlmond extract is made from bitter almond oil and ethyl alcohol, it is strong and sweet used in many baked goods.

 

Mark Your Antenna With Red For Parking LotsWhen leaving your car in a parking lot that is not marked, (like a school, grocery, etc.), I use a VERY RED sock or scarf and tie it to the top of my antenna. Be sure to loop part of the ID over the top of the antenna so it doesn't slide down! It is not only functional, it's pretty!

 

Silver Jewelry Leaving Black Marks on T-shirts?My silver jewelery keeps leaving black marks on my white t-shirts. Does anyone have the solution?

 

Cleaning Fire Residue from Glass and Metal?We salvaged some glass and metal antiques from our home after a fire, but not much left. It was a 75% loss. Hope to save some things, but what the heat didn't destroy, the smoke left behind this greasy black residue on everything. We have tried orange cleaners, oxi clean, windex, 409, but these type of cleaners hardly touch it. Any suggestions that might help dissolve this blackness?

 

Planting Easter Lilies?I've been given three Lilies for Easter. Once they die back, can I plant them in my yard? How do I go about it? Will they survive and come up again? Would really appreciate some information to keep them going.