March 3, 2011

Double Check Measurements When Submitting RecipesBe sure there are no typos when sharing ingredient measurements for a recipe such as 3 cups of flour instead of 3 Tbsp. of flour, or visa versa. One of the mistakes I see the most, is when 1 stalk of celery instead of 1 rib of celery, or visa versa, is listed.

 

Party PunchCook sugar and water to make a syrup. Mix strong tea, lemon juice, orange juice and syrup. Let chill. Put ice in bowl; add juice mixture and ginger ale.

 

Italian Tomato SauceThere is just nothing like having a well-stocked freezer or pantry, and this sauce is one that's easy to prepare, and will save your day, when you simply run out of time.

 

Spanish StewBrown meat. Add onion, if preferred; add water and cover. Simmer until tender. Add potatoes and carrots. Cook until done. Add peas, corn, and soup. Season and serve when hot.

 

Shrimp SaladDrain peas, drain pineapple and reserve liquid. Cook shells according to directions on package. Thaw shrimp, add to shells, add peas, pineapple chunks, cut in half, onion, and celery.

 

Mardi Gras King Cake Sprinkle yeast and 2 teaspoons sugar over warm water in a small, shallow bowl. Allow to rest for 3-5 minutes, then mix thoroughly. Set bowl in a warm, draft-free place until yeast starts to bubble up and mixture almost doubles in volume, about 10 minutes.

 

Spicy Breaded ChickenIn a plastic bag, mix bread crumbs, milk powder, chili powder, garlic powder, and dry mustard; set aside. Place milk in a shallow pan. Dip chicken pieces into milk, then place in bag and shake to coat.

 

Honey Yogurt Fruit SaladThis is a nice and light way to make fruit salad. The honey-yogurt dressing is awesome. You can add or omit any fruit your family likes.

 

American Chow MeinBrown hamburger and onions in skillet. Mix all ingredients together and place in large casserole. Bake in 400 degree F oven for 1 hour. Then top with chow mein noodles and bake an additional 1/2 hour.

 

Making Grommet CurtainsIf you need new long drapes for your living room and want the trendy curtains with the grommets at the top, this is a very thrifty way of doing it. This photo only shows one of the panels. I bought two drop cloths for $10 each, using one for each panel.

 

Treasure (Shih Tzu)My dog "Treasure" is a three year old Shih Tzu. My wife and I adore him. Treasure has the friendliest personality of any dog I have ever had. When we had head-on collision with another car, he was our comfort throughout the whole ordeal.

 

Frankie (Mini Australian Shepard)Frankie is a 9 month old Mini Australian Shepard (blue merle coloring). I got him from a breeder in PA, about 6 months ago. He likes to chew on anything and everything, and run. He's a sweet puppy!

 

Travel: The River Seine (Paris, France)A picturesque view from a bridge. The River Seine in Paris, France, in the late afternoon.

 

Combine Kitty Litter For Best ResultsI have been experimenting over the past year with different cat litters to try and find one that absorbs really well, clumps tight, and also controls the odors well. I tried just about every brand available in my area and never could find one that did it all.

 

Willy (Border Collie)Willy is six years old. He is a Border Collie hound dog. I got him at four months of age. Willy and his siblings were in a little red wagon at the Whitesboro, TX Peanut Festival. There were about 9 pups.

 

Organizing BraceletsI have lots of stretchy bracelets and was keeping them in a box. Trying to find a color or type to wear meant rooting through the box to locate it. In my linen closet in the bathroom, on the back wall, I put a few stick on hooks with a narrow dowel laid across them.

 

Protect Bathroom When Dyeing HairWhen dyeing/coloring my hair, I can be as careful as can be and I still seemed to miss some small spots/splatters on the back splash of the sink. So my solution was to use Glad Press 'n Seal on the back splash to protect it.

 

Watch For Conflicting Medical InformationI had an experience this month that I thought was something I should share. I had surgery on my foot. One of the toes was shortened and a place was removed from the bottom of the foot.

 

Use Small Boxes To Organize DrawersI ask my co-workers to save empty office stationery and check boxes for me. I use them to organize my drawers and cabinets. They slide in and out easily and make organizing inexpensive.

 

Mario and Isabella (Kittens)Mario and Isabella (collectively known as the "obnoxious kittens") are 5 months. My daughter asked for a kitten for her birthday. Around the same time her best friend's older sister found some two week-old abandoned feral kittens she was hand raising.

 

Ten More Lessons from the Blind SideHere are a few more things I've learned over the last eight years since I lost my sight:

 

Make Your Own Disinfectant SolutionI never buy any anti-bacterial or bleach spray for my bathroom or kitchen anymore. I mix my own. I buy a bottle of bleach every so often and put a little in a container, then add water. I keep a bottle to clean and keep down germs in the bathrooms and in the kitchen.

 

Travel: Street Musician (South Hampton. UK)This photo was taken one afternoon while exploring the streets of South Hampton, UK, during Christmas time last year. The man in the picture was an awesome entertainer, and a true musician!

 

Memorial to Lifeboatmen (Fraserburgh, Scotland)This memorial was unveiled last year at Fraserburgh in NE Scotland, and dedicated to the local lifeboatmen who have lost their lives endeavouring to save others. Brave men who go out in the stormiest of weather, with no regard for their own safety.

 

Giving Dogs PillsWrap pills in the sandwich cheese slices to get your dog to take them easily. Mash the cheese around the pill and form a small ball. Mine gulp it down and don't even realize they just took a pill.

 

Save Your Butter WrappersWhenever I am baking, I take the margarine or butter wrapper, fold it, and put into a plastic Ziploc bag then into my freezer. That way I always have buttered paper on hand to grease my pans with.

 

Use Prescription Bottles for Storing QuartersI save pill and film containers to put quarters in - for laundry, toll booths, snack vending machines, car wash, vacuum coin slots, or anything else I need quarters for in a hurry. They fit easily in my purse or in my car cup holder and they don't take up too much room.

 

Should I Trim the Hair Out of My Pomeranian's Eyes?Should I clean the hair out of my Pomeranian's eyes?

 

Cat is Losing Hair and Has Dandruff?I have a rescue cat who has terrible dandruff. He sheds so much more than the other rescue cat I have. He leaves tremendous amounts of dandruff and hair wherever he goes. Brushing makes it worse (so the vet tells me). I need to know how to help this guy.

 

Removing Hairspray Residue from Vinyl Tile?How do I remove a buildup of hair spray from my bathroom floor? The floor is not linoleum, but the tile kind that come in squares of four, but I don't mean the ceramic tiles.

 

Removing Skunk Smell From A Dog?Help! We need a home recipe for skunk smell remover "without" hydrogen peroxide. We understand it would bleach our Irish Setter's coat. Thanks!

 

How Do Attract New Residents for a Retirement Community?I would like to know if anyone has to help find new residents for a retirement community and if so, where have you looked or what activities have you done to get people interested in your residence?

 

How Do I Get My Hair Color Back to Its Natural Color?I have very pretty silver hair, but dye it jet black and wear it short. I want to go silver all the way! What's the best way?

 

Refinishing Wood Floors?Does anyone have or have stained and refinished red oak floors to a pickled oak, limed or pickled white finish on them. I actually want a translucent white beige look and can't find the right stain formula.

 

Why is My Cat Licking It's Fur Off?My cat is 15 years old. Lately she has started licking off the hair on her hind quarter near and around the tail area. She seems healthy. I have treated her for fleas so I know she has no fleas. She eats good and drinks plenty of water. Any thoughts?

 

How Do I Make a Poodle Skirt?My 13 year old daughter is going to a fifties party and we can't afford to rent a costume, do you have any tips for making a (green) poodle skirt?

 

Where Can I Find Inexpensive Plastic Cylinder Vases?Does anyone know where I can find a website for plastic cylinder vases 10 inches tall at least and cheap? I need 70 for May. I am doing a quinceanera, sweet 15, for my daughter. I tried the Dollar Store, Joann's, and Michaels crafts. I found nothing. I even tried Hobby Lobby.

 

Inexpensive Baby Shower Ideas?I need ideas for giving a baby shower for a family member. I need something that wouldn't be very pricey, as I need to keep the cost down, but for it to still be nice.

 

Painting Moldy Basement Walls?Do I need to remove mold from basement walls before repainting? What kind of paint should I use?

 

Sour Milk on Upholstery?How do I get rid of spoiled milk smell in upholstery?

 

Removing Tire Marks from Car's Fender?My husband got hit on the interstate by a piece of tire in the road. It left tire marks on the hood and fender of my car. How do I get it off without ruining the finish of the car?

 

Are Super Absorbent Dish Towels Worth the Extra Money?Are those super absorbent kitchen towels used for drying dishes worth the extra money? I have regular kitchen towels and I have to wipe several times before a dish is completely dry. Can you advise before I make a purchase?

 

Baked Doughnut Recipe?I have a baking sheet that you bake donuts in. Can someone give me a recipe for the donuts?