March 10, 2010

Cherry Mash BarsMix first 4 ingredients together in heavy pan. Stir and boil 5 minutes; remove from heat. Add 9 ounces or more of cherry chips and stir until blended. Pour into buttered 9x13 inch pan and chill.

 

Red Wine VinaigretteCombine all ingredients in a cruet or glass jar with a screw-on lid. Tighten lid and shake vigorously before serving.

 

Double Bean Side DishVery easy and a lot of protein. Do not drain green beans, put entire can into a medium size sauce pan. Add the 1/2 cup beef broth and the can of condensed been with bacon soup.

 

Layered Reuben CasseroleLayer in order given in 1 1/2 quart casserole. Bake 25-30 minutes in a 350 degree F oven.

 

Microwave JamDefrost berries 2 minutes and mash with spoon. Cook 2 minutes covered. Cook 6 more minutes; stir at 3 minutes. Rest covered for 10 minutes. Uncover and store in container in refrigerator to cool and set up.

 

Best of All Lemon PieMy Mother had requests for her lemon pie constantly and now I share her secret! Follow directions on pie filling. When you take the cooked filling off the heat add the butter and lemon juice, stir in and let cool.

 

German Chocolate Pound CakeCream butter and sugar together in mixing bowl. Add eggs, flavoring and buttermilk. Sift next 3 dry ingredients together. Add to creamed mixture, mixing well.

 

Fried ChickenWash off the chicken pieces, shaking off the water but not drying thoroughly and place in a large bowl. Cover the pieces heavily with all 4 seasonings. With your hands, and with the chicken still in the bowl, rub the seasonings into the pieces.

 

Freeze Browned Ground BeefMy homeworker was here and it was our cooking day that week. We were almost done, the only meat left out of what I set out, was a one pound roll of hamburger. I had not planned anything special for it, so I told her to just brown it, drain it, and put in freezer.

 

Set Up a Week's Coffee on Sunday NightSave time by setting your weekly morning coffee up Sunday night. Just fill up seven coffee filters with your favorite grounds. Then stack the coffee filters on top of each other and place them inside an empty coffee can with a sealable lid.

 

Remembering Things Without a NoteWhen I need to remember something without a note, I move my ring to the other hand. As I move it I go over the task to be retrieved later a few times to help etch it in memory.

 

Store Sheets Inside PillowcasesThis tip will save you looking for a matching bottom and top sheet with matching pillowcases. Put folded sheets and one of the pillowcases inside the other pillowcase.

 

Reuse Rock SaltRock salt can be used more than just one time! When it has done it job, just sweep it up and save for next snow fall.

 

St. Patrick's Day Leprechaun WreathMake a fun St. Patrick's Day wreath using construction paper and cardboard. Make a leprechaun by cutting paper as shown. Use white glue to attach all facial features to a painted "head."

 

Garden: Starting SeedlingsI used a discarded zip container that a comforter was in and an unused Rubbermaid container to start an indoor greenhouse. I used peat pots and seeds gleaned from last fall's bounty.

 

Saving Water in a Multi Level HomeIf you live in a multi-story home and your hot water heater is in the attic, you know how long it can take to get hot water to run in the kitchen sink before starting the dishwasher.

 

Making Yarn Pom PomsCut out circles (in two identical rings, with holes in the middle) in card and put them together. Wind wool through the hole and around the circle until it is thickly covered.

 

Cell Phone TipsI have noticed that cell phone and texting tips are rarely discussed and that people have to learn the "rules' all on their own. I'd like to share a little of what I have picked up.

 

Plant Lettuce in Hanging BasketsPlant your different lettuce in hanging baskets. It's easy to care for, easy to harvest, and easy to move in or out of sun. You can raise all your salad greens hanging on the patio.

 

Lucy (Rat Terrier)Lucy is 12 years old and a Rat Terrier. I rescued Lucy from a pet store in NY that was neglecting animals. It was truly love at first sight! Lucy just loves to be wherever mom is. She loves to go for walks with her sister Angel and loves to swim.

 

Write Date Given on Pet MedicationsI, or one of my family members, always give our dog her heart worm pill at the end of the month. By writing Jan., Feb., March, etc. on the back of each section of the blister pack, I can tell at a glance if she's been given her pill for that month.

 

Use Extra Earrings as Push PinsLadies, have you ever lost an earring rendering the other one useless? Try using your old earrings or mis-matched ones as thumb tacks on a bulletin board. Not only does it give a funky eclectic vibe but it also serves a purpose.

 

Gibraun (Golden Retriever/Border Collie)Gibraun is 4 years old. He is a Golden Retriever/Border Collie. I rescued him from the Berks County SPCA when he was 8 months.

 

My Frugal Life: Thank You, GlenitaI also was never taught to be frugal. I was only taught to work hard and anything on sale was something you didn't want, it was someone's throwaway. My family was always tight on money.

 

Old Fashioned White LaundryI remember the days when we used a big black 3-legged wash pot over an open fire to wash clothes. If there's anything I learned and remember best, is how to get and keep white clothes clean and the whitest possible.

 

Preserving Fresh CilantroFor your cilantro to last longer, put them with the roots in a cup or container of tap water and leave it on the kitchen window sill.

 

Converting a Bamboo Blind into a Curtain?Any clever ideas on converting a raw edged bamboo blind into a "curtain"? Problem? I have 37 feet of bamboo slat and matchstick blinds the usual mounting brackets and would like to hang them like a curtain or drape. Impossible?

 

Getting Rid of Beetles in House?Last summer we had a lot of beetles on our house and now during the winter, we get a lot of them in the house on the floor. How do we get rid of them?

 

Maintaining a New Car's Factory Paint Job?What's the best way to preserve the paint on your new car? How to keep it looking new longer without old fashion wax?

 

Refurbishing a 1950s Era Enamel Counter Top?How can I DIY an old (retro 50s) enamel counter top?

 

Homemade Laundry Soap Advice?I am using my homemade laundry soap and I have little pieces of soap that will not dissolve in the laundry water. Do I need to use hot water or is there a better solution?

 

Interior Trim Paint Color Advice?My wall is burgundy and looks dark, what color trim can I use to brighten it up?

 

Keeping Skunks Out of My Yard?How can I discourage skunks from coming onto our property?

 

Removing Gloss Paint from Jeans?How do you remove gloss paint from denim?

 

Advice on Painting a Car?How do I paint my car?

 

Niagara Falls Vacation Tips?I am finally going to Niagara Falls and the "I Love Lucy" museum. I am 47 and this is where I have always wanted to go. I know it is kitch and touristy, anyway got any ideas or tips on cheap eating? Cheaper anything would be appreciated.

 

Reducing Puffiness Under Eyes?Please tell me how do I get rid of under eye puffiness, right below the corner of the eye. Everyday when I wake up, there it is. It looks like someone punched me. Please help.

 

Cleaning Tile and Grout?The grouting in my bathroom is discoloured, only a year old. The tiles are white, the grouting was white and now looks yellowish. It is not a result of soap scum, etc. The grouting manufacturer says it is atmospheric conditions. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Paint Color Advice for Laundry Room With Ginger Appliances?My washer and dryer appliances are the new ginger color. Does anyone have a great suggestion for a paint color for the laundry room walls? It is in a small area.

 

Fresh Coconut Has Chemical Smell?Does anyone know why a coconut would smell something like a cleaning product when it is opened? I recently bought one. It is full of milk and white meat, but smells chemically.