August 5, 2008

Five Minute Skillet JamsA speedy, no fuss way to whip up a small batch (2 cups) of super-fruity jam. Follow the recipes carefully; proper setting up depends on accurate measurement of all ingredients.

 

Fresh Apple Harvest CakeSprinkle apples in bowl with cinnamon and 6 tablespoons sugar, tossing lightly to coat. Sift next 3 ingredients together.

 

Broccoli ChowderEnjoy this nutritious, creamy soup for lunch or dinner on a cold day.

 

Chocolate-Chunk CookiesDrop dough by 1/4 cupfuls onto ungreased baking sheets, 3 inches apart; flatten to 3 inch diameter circles. Press remaining chocolate chunks into top of cookies...

 

Quick and Frugal PerloHeat salsa and meat in large pot then stir in rice (or spoon over).

 

Saving Electricity When Using Your DishwasherWhen washing your dishes in the dishwasher, set the control panels to use less water and less drying time. Using the most eco friendly settings your dishwasher may have.

 

Set Up The Kiddie Pool In The KitchenTo help keep the babies cool, I fill up a plastic baby tub and place it in the center of my kitchen. My three and one year old play, get clean and tucker themselves out in twenty to thirty minutes. The indoor fun keeps their delicate skin "sun free" and the excess water on the floor helps to break up the ground in dirt in the tile grout.

 

Organizing Your FridgeTo keep my fridge organized, I found some second hand plastic drawer units. I then keep my cheeses, lunch meat, eggs, and breads in them.

 

Taking Photos From A Moving VehicleI took this picture as we were driving down the street in Tinley Park, IL. My tip when taking pictures in a moving vehicle; steady your arms against your body to eliminate movement. Movement causes blurry pictures.

 

Vinegar and Windshield WasherHouse guests made a mess of my bathroom mirrors a few days ago. Just noticed this morning, so got out my cleaner, which is 1/2 white vinegar and 1/2 car windshield washer that I mixed in a spray bottle.

 

Chile Mac with HotdogsCook two boxes macaroni and cheese. Open 2 cans Chile without beans. Mix together. Add as many cut up hot dogs as desired (Sausage may also be used).

 

Rocky-Balboa (Staffordshire Terrier)Rocky-Balboa is three years old and a Staffordshire Terrier. I got him 2 years and 8 months ago. He likes to chase flies or dressing up. When he sleeps, he snores!

 

Jar Candle HolderA way to use an old canning jar to display your collections.

 

Lemon PeelsCauliflower will stay white if you add a small piece of lemon peel to the water while cooking

 

Garden: Squirrels Eating SunflowersLooking for an really good treat for your squirrel friends? Plant Sunflowers, they LOVE them!

 

Set Up A Pet Care Savings AccountI see a lot of requests for advice about sick pets from people unwilling or unable to go to the vet due to the expense. I started a savings account.

 

Spray Painting For KidsThis is a fun outside activity for kids to do in the summer. I take spray bottles (either from household products that are empty or inexpensive ones from the dollar store or similar) and fill them with a small amount of paint and mostly water. Don't use too much paint or it will clog the sprayer.

 

Stock Up on Easter Grass for Gift BasketsI like to make gift baskets for various events and learned to seek out Easter clearance for basket fill. I don't use the green plastic grass, I use the colored shredded paper and find that many of the colors can be used for any occasion.

 

Growing Tomatoes on a BalconyThe thing we missed most when we moved from the country to a city apartment was our home-grown tomatoes. So we planted some on our balcony! Remember they don't have natural drainage, so allow for that and for fertilizer.

 

Problems With Hibiscus Plants?I have recently potted two hibiscus plants in my balcony. The one with the pink flowers has not given a single bud in 3 weeks. Also the leaves of this plant have holes in them. What can I do to prevent the holes?

 

Mange Vs. Hot Spots?Can anyone tell me how one goes about determining whether a dog has mange or hot spots? My lab chewed his tail yesterday until it was bare of hair (about half dollar size) and today on his hind quarter (about size of a quarter). Both sites have scaly bumps. Thanks for any help.

 

Home Remedies For Bursitis?Does anyone have a home remedy for bursitis in hip joint?

 

Pricing Crafts for a Craft Show?I knit and crochet dish cloths. I sell them for $2.50, is that the going rate? I want to do a craft show this fall, what are good sellers? I also do plastic canvas, such as tissue box covers, pins, coasters etc.

 

Skillet Alternative?I have a recipe that calls for baking a cake in a skillet. I don't have a skillet that I can put in the oven. Can I use a regular cake pan?

 

Soy Milk Vs. 1% Milk?What are the pros and cons between light soy milk and 1% milk? How do they effect dieting? If consumed all the time which one will gain me more weight?

 

Blanching Brussel Sprouts?Do you have to blanch brussel sprouts before freezing them? I was so excited when I found out on here that I don't have to blanch broccoli. Now I am wondering if I have to blanch brussel sprouts. I hope not.

 

What Is This Plant? (Pineapple Plant?)I've received this pineapple plant one year ago. It's growing a new pineapple plant from all of it's eyes, and on the top side growing another small pineapple. Until now I still don't know what the name is of this kind of plant. I just called it a unique "Pineapple" Plant. Maybe you can help me to find out what the real name is for this plant.

 

Recipe For Sugar Body Scrub?Does anyone have a sugar body scrub recipe?

 

Extra Service Charges on My Verizon Bill?I have Verizon phone service. My last 2 bills have had service charges on them. When I called the companies to stop the charges etc. they said I signed up for them and they knew my mother's maiden name so that means I signed up. What in the world is going on?

 

Mother's Day Program Ideas?I am looking for Mother's Day program ideas.

 

Ways To Avoid Flipping Food While Cooking?Frozen onion rings and french fries need to be turned midway after some baking time. Is there a suggested method of baking that can omit the food flipping step?

 

Self-adhesive Night Lights?I would like to know where I can find self-adhesive night lights.

 

Uses For Chicken Stock?How else can I make use of chicken stock other than the obvious, chicken soup? Many thanks!

 

Is Hip Dysplasia Common In Shi Tzu/Maltese?I have a shitzu/maltese dog and I was wondering if they are known to have hip dysplasia?

 

Removing a Snake from a Home?I have found a snake in my home. It was brown with lighter colored brown stripes. How can I be sure I will not be getting any unwanted guest anymore. I want to call someone, but don't know who to call.

 

Travel Tips For Arizona?I am looking for travel tips for Arizona.

 

Recipe For Barbecued, Slow Roasted Beef?Years ago on a trip to the USA, I had the most brilliant meal of slow-roasted beef in Kansas. I don't know the cut of beef, but it was a very large, boneless piece.

 

Removing Sudocrem From Clothing?How do you remove sudocrem from clothes and hair?

 

Recipes From Bisquick Box?Does anyone have the recipe for muffins, particularly blueberry muffins which used to be on the back of the Bisquick box. At one point I cut it off the box but I have misplaced it. Thank you.

 

Dog Eats Leaves?My dog won't stop eating leaves and weeds. He eats bamboo leaves and all kinds of weeds every time he goes outside. I correct him when he does it but he goes right back after a few minutes.

 

Removing Old Paint From Wood?How do you remove old paint from wood surface?

 

Finding The Source Of Ant Infestations?I try all the homemade ant repellents and most of them work but I want to find the source of the ants or the anthills. Although chasing a little ant for hours and hours is very "exciting", where did you find most of your anthills?

 

Removing Ink Obscuring Label?I'm restoring an old instrument (hurdy gurdy) and some time in the past, somebody covered over the makers name label with blue ink. I've taken it off and by holding up to the light I can more or less see what's written underneath, but the date is partially obscured.