Here are a few tips about using wax paper and coffee filters:
Rubbing a shower curtain rod with wax paper helps keep the metal hooks sliding without loud squeaks.
Rubbing those garden tools (or any tool really) with a bit of wax paper can help prevent rust spots from forming.
Using coffee filters to wipe down the glass and chrome in the bathroom will cut down on streaks.
Wrap baking soda in a couple of coffee filters and tie with a garbage tie to use as a deodorizer in closets, drawers and even the fridge in a pinch. ........ oh goodness, I just had a thought.... I need to try this on Travis' shoes.... place one in each of his shoes at night.... that would cut down on a lot of that smell!!! I'm so excited! Gonna try it tonight!
Showing posts with label Homemaking Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Homemaking Tips. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Tuesday's Tip
Space is always at a premium when you have a big family..... so that means organization is a must! So I use all kinds of totes, and boxes to help out. ....and among my favorite is photo boxes! I use them for just about everything. In the library, I have several... some for storing pens and pencils, supplies for making homemade cards, maps, and other school supplies. I got several for Eric to use in his office for those small computer parts he always has laying around and cords, and anything else he may need them for..... each of the kids have at least one in their rooms for their shelves for what-nots. And then I do actually have photos stored in some here in the front room. You can buy several to match a rooms decoration or just buy several mis-matched ones and create a whimsical effect.....cute and functional!
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Tuesday's Tip....
So, thought I would really start getting back into the swing of things here on my blog... and if any of my (few) readers remember I wanted to start something a bit different a couple of months back... sort of to expand my blog... so today I am starting in earnest.
Tuesday's Tip.....I want to share things I have found cost effective, ideas to save money, or even just thinking out of the box..... so here we go!
Today I want to share what I feel that helps me out in a big way on Sundays. I let Jed carry his own "diaper bag". Last year I found a cute little "Dr. Seus" backpack at a yardsale for 10cents. Jed loved it and was always wanting to throw something in it and take it along with us wherever we went... so instead of me carrying a bag and then having to keep up with it and an extra bag of "stuff" I asked if he would like to carry his own extras... he thinks he is such a big boy carrying all his own things around now!
Since it is a smaller backpack (just his size) and although Jed is a good sized 2 year old (he is over 3 foot and nearly 40 pounds now) I still want to keep the backpack on the lighter side so it does not overburden him. When packing, I first get him a change of clothes and roll the shirt and pants in a tight roll together and place it in the bottom of the pack. Then I have (usually) about 3 pull-ups and a small case of wipes. I then add about 3 small toys/book to the pack (letting him help pick them out) and then add a snack and his cup. The pack is rather light and he loves to put it on and show everyone just how big a helper he really is! Now, I do have to say that it does help that Jed is in the potty training stage and I don't have to carry as much for him as I used to and that he really does not get all messy and dirty up his clothes so I usually can keep his change of clothes packed in the bottom of the backpack for several outings before I have to use them so the only thing I replenish is the pullups, snacks and his cups..... but let me tell you how nice it is not to have to keep up with a diaper bag on Sunday mornings!
Tuesday's Tip.....I want to share things I have found cost effective, ideas to save money, or even just thinking out of the box..... so here we go!
Today I want to share what I feel that helps me out in a big way on Sundays. I let Jed carry his own "diaper bag". Last year I found a cute little "Dr. Seus" backpack at a yardsale for 10cents. Jed loved it and was always wanting to throw something in it and take it along with us wherever we went... so instead of me carrying a bag and then having to keep up with it and an extra bag of "stuff" I asked if he would like to carry his own extras... he thinks he is such a big boy carrying all his own things around now!
Since it is a smaller backpack (just his size) and although Jed is a good sized 2 year old (he is over 3 foot and nearly 40 pounds now) I still want to keep the backpack on the lighter side so it does not overburden him. When packing, I first get him a change of clothes and roll the shirt and pants in a tight roll together and place it in the bottom of the pack. Then I have (usually) about 3 pull-ups and a small case of wipes. I then add about 3 small toys/book to the pack (letting him help pick them out) and then add a snack and his cup. The pack is rather light and he loves to put it on and show everyone just how big a helper he really is! Now, I do have to say that it does help that Jed is in the potty training stage and I don't have to carry as much for him as I used to and that he really does not get all messy and dirty up his clothes so I usually can keep his change of clothes packed in the bottom of the backpack for several outings before I have to use them so the only thing I replenish is the pullups, snacks and his cups..... but let me tell you how nice it is not to have to keep up with a diaper bag on Sunday mornings!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Friday's Fixins ~ Chicken-n-Dumplins
Comfort Food. That is what Chicken-n-Dumplins are..... pure comfort food.
Now, I make my dumplins just a bit different than most.... so here goes.
First, cook your chicken until it is ready to come off the bone (I am using chicken breasts here.)
Then, after the chicken has cooled enough it can be handled take all the meat off the bones and pull the meat apart into bite sized pieces. Then return the chicken to the stock.
Now, while the chicken is going into a boil, make your dumplin mix..... this is where my recipe differs from others.... see, I make a drop dumplin mix and do not roll them out and cut them.... just drop the mix by spoonfuls into the stock and chicken. This makes for a thick and fluffy dumplin.
Dumplin Mix:
Mix 2 cups self-rising flour, 1 egg, 3/4 cup of milk, and 1 tblsp of oil together (the dough mixture should be wet.... can add more milk if needed.) Drop by spoonfuls into chicken and stock at a rolling boil. .
Add a touch of milk to help to thicken it and salt and pepper to taste......
Talk about some good eating on a cold winter night!
The cost of this meal was just about 7 dollars..... I did cook extra chicken and put the meat back for a meal later in the week..... Chicken Enchiladas!
Now, I make my dumplins just a bit different than most.... so here goes.
First, cook your chicken until it is ready to come off the bone (I am using chicken breasts here.)
Then, after the chicken has cooled enough it can be handled take all the meat off the bones and pull the meat apart into bite sized pieces. Then return the chicken to the stock.
Now, while the chicken is going into a boil, make your dumplin mix..... this is where my recipe differs from others.... see, I make a drop dumplin mix and do not roll them out and cut them.... just drop the mix by spoonfuls into the stock and chicken. This makes for a thick and fluffy dumplin.
Dumplin Mix:
Mix 2 cups self-rising flour, 1 egg, 3/4 cup of milk, and 1 tblsp of oil together (the dough mixture should be wet.... can add more milk if needed.) Drop by spoonfuls into chicken and stock at a rolling boil. .
Add a touch of milk to help to thicken it and salt and pepper to taste......
Talk about some good eating on a cold winter night!
The cost of this meal was just about 7 dollars..... I did cook extra chicken and put the meat back for a meal later in the week..... Chicken Enchiladas!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
What do ya'll think?
I am starting to put together a price notebook and gathering all my information and recipes down to perhaps start a local class on being more frugal, cheap meal ideas, and living on a more simple budget..... and I thought I would start using my Friday Fixin's posts to start with some recipe ideas..... what do ya'll think?
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Interesting....
I got an email from a friend this morning..... very interesting!
Subject: WD-40
This could replace duct tape as America's #1 'fixit'!
Subject: WD-40
One Sunday morning I got up very early and went outside
to pickup the Sunday paper, when I noticed someone had
sprayed red paint all around the sides of my neighbours
Brand new beige truck. I went over and woke him up and
Gave him the bad news. He was, of course extremely upset
and we stood there trying to figure out what we could do
about the problem. We decided there wasn't much
recourse but to wait until Monday, since nothing was
open. Just then another neighbour came out of his house,
surveyed the situation and immediately said to get his
WD-40 out and clean the red paint off with it. Guess
what! It cleaned up that paint without harming the
original paint on the truck! I'm impressed!!
Water Displacement #40. The product began from a search for
a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect
missile parts. WD-40 was crea ted in 1953 by three
technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its
name comes from the project that was to find a
'water displacement' compound. They were successful with
the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40. The Corvair Company
bought it in bulk to protect their Atlas Missile parts.
Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is
nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you...' IT IS MADE
FROM FISH OIL' . When you read the 'shower door'
part, try it. It's the first thing that has ever cleaned
that spotty shower door If yours is plastic, it works
just as well as glass. It is a miracle! Then try it on your
stovetop... It is now shinier than it has ever been before.
1) Protects silver from tarnishing.
2) Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3) Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
4) Gives floors that `just-waxed` sheen without making it
slippery.
5) Keeps flies off cows.
6) Restores and cleans chalkboards.
7) Removes lipstick stains.
8) Loosens stubborn zippers.
9) Untangles jewellery chains.
10) Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
11) Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
12) Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.
13) Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14) Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
15) Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16) Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17) Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in
homes
18) It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen
floor! Open some windows if you have a lot of marks.
19) Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car.
Removed quickly, with WD-40!
20) Gives a children's play gym slide a shine for a
super fast slide.
21) Lubricates gear shift on lawn mowers.
22) Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.
23) Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes
them easier to open.
24) Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open
and close.
25) Restores and cleans padded l eather dashboards in
vehicles, well as vinyl bumpers.
26) Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27) Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.
28) Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons,
and bicycles for easy handling.
29) Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps
them running smoothly.
30) Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and
other tools.
31) Removes splattered grease on stove.
32) Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.
33) Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34) Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
35) Removes all traces of duct tape.
36) Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees
to relieve arthritis pain
37) Florida 's favourite use 'Cleans and removes
love bugs from grills and bumpers.'
38) Protects the Statue of L iberty from the elements.
39) WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a LITTLE on live bait or lures
and you will be catching the big one in no time.
40) Ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and
stops the itch.
41) WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on
the mark and wipe with a clean rag.
42) If you've washed and dried a tube of lipstick with
a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots
With WD-40 and Presto! Lipstick is gone!
43) If you spr ay WD-40 on the distributor cap, it will
displace the moisture and allow the car to start.
I keep a can of WD-40 in my kitchen cabinet over the
Stove. It is good for oven burns or any other type of
Burn. It takes the burned feeling away and heals with NO scarring.
Remember, the basic ingredient is FISH OIL.
READ THIS AND KEEP A CAN IN YOUR KITCHEN
This could replace duct tape as America's #1 'fixit'!
Subject: WD-40
One Sunday morning I got up very early and went outside
to pickup the Sunday paper, when I noticed someone had
sprayed red paint all around the sides of my neighbours
Brand new beige truck. I went over and woke him up and
Gave him the bad news. He was, of course extremely upset
and we stood there trying to figure out what we could do
about the problem. We decided there wasn't much
recourse but to wait until Monday, since nothing was
open. Just then another neighbour came out of his house,
surveyed the situation and immediately said to get his
WD-40 out and clean the red paint off with it. Guess
what! It cleaned up that paint without harming the
original paint on the truck! I'm impressed!!
Water Displacement #40. The product began from a search for
a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect
missile parts. WD-40 was crea ted in 1953 by three
technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its
name comes from the project that was to find a
'water displacement' compound. They were successful with
the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40. The Corvair Company
bought it in bulk to protect their Atlas Missile parts.
Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is
nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you...' IT IS MADE
FROM FISH OIL' . When you read the 'shower door'
part, try it. It's the first thing that has ever cleaned
that spotty shower door If yours is plastic, it works
just as well as glass. It is a miracle! Then try it on your
stovetop... It is now shinier than it has ever been before.
1) Protects silver from tarnishing.
2) Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3) Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
4) Gives floors that `just-waxed` sheen without making it
slippery.
5) Keeps flies off cows.
6) Restores and cleans chalkboards.
7) Removes lipstick stains.
8) Loosens stubborn zippers.
9) Untangles jewellery chains.
10) Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
11) Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
12) Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.
13) Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14) Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
15) Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16) Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17) Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in
homes
18) It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen
floor! Open some windows if you have a lot of marks.
19) Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car.
Removed quickly, with WD-40!
20) Gives a children's play gym slide a shine for a
super fast slide.
21) Lubricates gear shift on lawn mowers.
22) Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.
23) Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes
them easier to open.
24) Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open
and close.
25) Restores and cleans padded l eather dashboards in
vehicles, well as vinyl bumpers.
26) Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27) Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.
28) Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons,
and bicycles for easy handling.
29) Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps
them running smoothly.
30) Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and
other tools.
31) Removes splattered grease on stove.
32) Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.
33) Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34) Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
35) Removes all traces of duct tape.
36) Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees
to relieve arthritis pain
37) Florida 's favourite use 'Cleans and removes
love bugs from grills and bumpers.'
38) Protects the Statue of L iberty from the elements.
39) WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a LITTLE on live bait or lures
and you will be catching the big one in no time.
40) Ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and
stops the itch.
41) WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on
the mark and wipe with a clean rag.
42) If you've washed and dried a tube of lipstick with
a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots
With WD-40 and Presto! Lipstick is gone!
43) If you spr ay WD-40 on the distributor cap, it will
displace the moisture and allow the car to start.
I keep a can of WD-40 in my kitchen cabinet over the
Stove. It is good for oven burns or any other type of
Burn. It takes the burned feeling away and heals with NO scarring.
Remember, the basic ingredient is FISH OIL.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Feeding a big family for less....
With the economy all in a mess.... the price of gas going up, up and up..... and rising cost of just about everything in general I thought I would share some of how I try to feed our big family for less. Well, last night I got out my ingredients and my calculator and fed all 6 of us.... along with my mom..... for about $8.
Here is my list of ingredients and their cost:
1 roll of sausage (found on sale) 99cents
1 pkg of dirty rice mix 99cents
1 can cream of celery soup 49cents
1 can cream of mushroom soup 49cents
1 sleeve saltine crackers 25cents
1 cup grated cheddar cheese 50cents (I get the block cheese and grate what I need)
3 cans of green beans 49cents each = $1.47
1 sleeve of graham crackers 50cents
1 pkg cream cheese (on sale) 99cents
4 oz of cool whip (found on sale) 50cents
tea bags to make a gallon of sweet tea 8cents
sugar for all of meal about 40cents
margarine
sour cream
vanilla
Total..............$7.65
I did not add in the price for the margarine,sour cream, or vanilla because I just keep those things all the time and the amounts were so small..... but you get the picture.....
I made a sausage and rice casserole ...... fry up the sausage cook up the rice mix... add the cooked & drained sausage to the rice mix. Then add the 2 cans of cream soups and mix well... put in a casserole dish and bake for about 20 minutes... take out and top with shredded cheddar cheese and crushed saltine crackers (I do mix the crushed crackers with a bit of margarine) and put back in the oven until cheese is melted and the cracker topping is golden.
Cook green beans for a side dish.
For drinks I made a gallon of sweet tea.
Dessert: No Bake Cheesecake
Crush graham crackers and mix with margarine for a crust.. push into a pie plate....
Mix cream cheese (room temp) and cool whip until smooth. Add about 1/2 cup of sugar, a tablespoonful of sour cream and a dash of vanilla flavoring and mix until smooth. Pour mixture into crust and chill before serving.
A very filling and satisfying meal!
Stretch those dollars!!!!
Thursday, May 17, 2007
The Wonders of Vinegar
I love vinegar... it really is great for so many different things around the house.... I use it daily.
Laundry:
Vinegar does wonders for laundry....
~ Works great as a fabric softener.... use in the final rinse and not only will your clothes be soft but there will be no film left in your lint trap of the dryer. ( I use about 1/2 cup for a med/large load.)
~Adding vinegar to the rinse cycle also helps with odors in clothes.
~ Vinegar helps to remove soap scum from towels, kitchen rags, and after you notice you put a bit too much soap or detergent in the wash!
~ Soaking garments in a vinegar bath will help remove many types of stains. After the vinegar bath just launder as usual.
~Adding a cup of vinegar to the last rinse of fabric you are dyeing it will help set the color.
Bathroom:
Bye, Bye Scum....Soap Scum that is!
~ Vinegar will help you get that pesky soap scum off your glass shower door....heat vinegar in a microwave safe dish and then pour the warm vinegar in a clean spray bottle.... spray down that shower glass.....soap scum will vanish....(Go ahead and use it on that shower too..... cleans so well.... make sure the area is vented.)
~Go ahead and use that spray bottle on the rest of the bathroom too.... vinegar is a great natural disinfectant!
~ Hard to clean mildew in the corners of the shower or bathtub? Sprinkle the area down with Baking Soda.... followed by vinegar.... the "foam" will eat away the mildew!
~ Clear that showerhead of hard water corrosion by soaking in equal parts of vinegar and water overnight.
Kitchen:
Cooking, cleaning.... its ALL good!
~Vinegar is a great meat tenderizer.... add a fourth cup of vinegar with your spices and marinate overnight.
~Add a couple of teaspoons to cold water and soak wilted veggies.... freshens those veggies right up!
~To keep hard boiled eggs from cracking .... add a couple of teaspoons of vinegar to the water.
~Out of buttermilk... make your own.... just add a tablespoonful of vinegar to a cup of milk and let sit for a few minutes.... use in any recipe that calls for buttermilk.
~Run straight vinegar through the coffee maker to clean it good.... simply run water back through it to rinse.
~Run dishwasher empty with a cup of vinegar (about once monthly) to help break down soap buildup inside of machine.
~Unclog a slow drain by first pouring a half cup of baking soda followed by a half cup of vinegar down the drain... let foam for a few minutes then follow it with boiling water.
~Still have some vinegar left from spraying down the bathroom.... spray down the refridge.
~Filmy dishes.... add a half cup of vinegar to your wash water. (this cuts grease too!)
~ Mix 2 teaspoons of salt in a cup of vinegar to clean copper, brass and pewter.
Other uses:
Just a few more things ....... this is not all .... there is still more I know!
~ Clean glass with straight vinegar..... wipe with a unused coffee filter. (this works great for your glasses too!)
~To deodorize a room add a favorite spice to a small bowl of vinegar and place in the corner of the room.
~ To remove rust from tools sit in straight vinegar overnight.
~Pour full strength on any unwanted weeds or grass coming up through cracks in the sidewalk or in driveways.
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