Friday, February 29, 2008

Dill Pickle Pinwheels

We can't make these enough of these for our family gatherings. We've actually experienced a bit of sibling rivalry to get to the tray before they're all gone! Click HERE for the instructions.

Secret Dogs and Burgers

Can't face one more barbecued hotdog or hamburger? Try these ideas to turn summer barbecue regulars into something special.

Chicken Pot Pie

This is an easy version of an old family favorite. Click HERE for the instructions.

Vinegar Use #16

Dot or douse a bee sting or mosquito bite with vinegar to relieve itching.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Teaching Farm Safety

What a serene atmosphere - cows grazing on green pastures - fields of golden wheat waving in the breeze - row after row of tall green corn. This would seem to be the most quiet and peaceful lifestyle imaginable, but this is often not the case. Read more HERE.

Vinegar Use #15

To keep car windows frost free, coat windows the night before with a solution of 3 parts vinegar to 1 part water.

Easy to Grow Annual Flowers

Are you spending your winter evenings perusing a stack of seed catalogs? Maybe you're surfing the internet for garden plans for that favorite place in your garden. Whether you're a "pro" or just a beginner, annual flowers are a perfect choice to bright your landscape and to bring beautiful butterflies and hummingbirds to visit. Click HERE to read more.

Planting Annual Flowers

Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle in the span of one growing season. They come up in the spring, grow, flower, set seed and die after the frosts in the fall. Although the term "annuals" is generally used to refer to flowers, most vegetables, grains, and some herbs are also considered to be annual plants. Click HERE to read more.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Vinegar Use #14

Polish car chrome with full strength vinegar.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Vinegar Use #13

Fish scales can be removed more easily by rubbing with vinegar 5 minutes before scaling.

Restaurant "Copycat" Recipes

Billions of dollars each year are spent dining out in both fast-food and upscale restaurants. Their specialty dishes beckon us to spend our hard-earned money. But wait...put those keys away...put your credit card back in your pocket...there's a better way! Click HERE to find restaurant copycat recipe resources.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Starting a Butterfly Garden

This growing season share the joy and wonder of nature with your children by creating a Butterfly Garden. Children are naturally attracted to the bright colors and fluttering wings of butterflies. They also love digging in the dirt, planting flowers and watching their garden grow. Click HERE for more information about starting your own Butterfly Garden.

Vinegar Use #12

Brighten fabric colors by adding 1/2 cup vinegar to the rinse cycle.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Vinegar Use #11

Clean piano keys with a solution of equal parts vinegar and water. Dip a soft cloth into the solution and wring out as much as possible. Wipe each key gently, drying with a soft cloth as you go. Leave keyboard uncovered for 24 hours after cleaning.

Moon Gardens

A project that I've read about and am planning for the upcoming growing season. Click HERE to read more.

Friday, February 8, 2008

Raising Healthy Children in an Unhealthy World

Fast food is promoted constantly on television. Many companies use toy " prizes" to market their unhealthy food to our children. "Biggie" meals and "super-sizing" encourage not only children, but adults as well, to overindulge in unhealthy sized portions. Click HERE to read the aticle.

Vinegar Use #10

Eggs will boil better when you add 2 tablespoons vinegar before boiling - it keeps them from cracking.

Bacon Wrapped Breadsticks

Click HERE for a quick and easy breadfast idea.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Dog Biscuit Recipes

With the recent scare regarding contaminated pet foods, I am even more concerned with the contents of the food and treats that I feed my dogs. Although a little time is involved, making your own dog treats insures that you know just how and with what they are made. Click HERE for recipes.

Baking Tips and Advice

Using quality ingredients, following the recipe closely, and measuring accurately are very important aspects of baking. There are, however, a number of tips than can add to the taste of your baked goods, or can simplify the mixing or baking process. Click HERE to read article.

Vinegar Use #9

Deodorize small spaces (inside lunch boxes, car trunks, foot lockers) by soaking a piece of white bread in vinegar and placing it in the closed space overnight. Smell should be gone by morning.

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Making the Most of Leftovers

"It's good food - don't throw it away - there are starving children in Africa!" I hear those words coming out of my mother's mouth every time I have leftovers from a meal. I always wondered just how she thought one might get our leftovers to Africa to feed those children! Click HERE for ideas for using leftovers.

Vinegar Use #8

Shine silverware or jewelry by soaking in 1 cup white vinegar mixed with 2 tablespoons baking soda for 3 hours. Rinse with cold wate rand dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.