Trading Leftovers with Neighbors
Im a big fan of freezing leftovers. I make them into 1 or 2 person portions and shrink wrap them. If it is a saucy item, I freeze it in a container first then shrink wrap it without the container once its frozen. Same with bread or fruit, if it will collapse...
What to do with 40 boxes of pasta?
Maybe the neighborhood kindergarten class could use some elbow macaroni to make some wreaths or necklaces.
Do Green Peppers Grow Back On the Same Tree?
No, they are dead once all the peppers have grown and been picked, however you can plant the seeds from the pepper and get new plants.
Buy Dark Clothing - Know When to Skimp
I dont want my clothes to pass for pricey, that only makes me look like a selfish fool. If Im going to spend the money Id rather buy something made in the USA rather than care if someone thinks I spent a lot. The pricey brands are made in China at the same...
Looking For Advice On Vacuum Sealer Bags?
I like Foodsaver brand the best, they dont have the two layer thing.
Son's eyes red and itchy after showering.
Just getting a lot of water in your eyes can make them red, especially if there is a lot of chlorine in your water.
Don't Print Social Security Number on Checks
You should never carry your Social Security card with you. It is not legal identification. Its like the title to your car you should keep it safe at home.
Create a Butterfly Garden
I am in Zone 5 also (Michigan) and although I am still looking into what other species are in my area, I do know that the Black Swallowtail caterpillars love the dill that I always plant.
Moldy Peppers Growing in Containers?
Trying adding vermiculite next time, also some pebbles or shells or something that will help the soil drain as the water flows through it, the vermiculite will capture enough of the water to maintain moisture but the rest will drain off.
Growing Basil
Its possible that by throwing the seeds into the same pots that the chemical reaction of the seeds could be telling the plant it has done its job. Sounds weird but that is what happens with trees, the leaves are putting out chemicals in the fall when they are...
Planting Asparagus in Raised Beds?
Im currently growing asparagus in a raised bed, this past summer was my first season though which is the establishment season. So Ill see what happen for this summer. My bed area for the asparagus is about 18 inches by 5-6 ft. It is in a larger bed but I have...
Preventing Basil From Flowering
I snip off the flower heads through out the season and use them in cooking also.
Make Your Own Rain Barrel
You can put some garlic juice in the water to deter the mosquitos, also if put some vegetable oil ( just a couple tblspns.) in it it will suffocate any mosquito larvea, wont hurt the plants either.
Prescription Bottle Sewing Kit
This is a good idea. I use them to put buttons in but never thought of this idea,
Should I Stake Cucumber Vines?
You have to make a trellis, heres a picture of mine. There are 3 in this picture, in the foreground and to the right are for cucumbers, the one far behind is for catalopes. Under the big one in front I have 9 plants, for the small one I have 4 plants. For the...
Freezing Muffins
To vacuum seal them. Freeze them first on a tray or in a bag, then take them out and vacuum seal them. Freezing first will keep them from collapsing when vacuum sealed.
Have I Waited Too Long To Harvest My Herbs?
I harvest my herbs all through the season for drying. I also cut off the flowering stem to promote more leaf growth, however I do leave some of the flowers so the butterflies and bees have something to feed on.
Poll: Have you used tax software to prepare your taxes?
I have been using Turbo Tax for 10 years now, wouldnt use anything else.
Borax To Rid Your House Of Pests
thoroughly cleaning the carpet will only fill your vacuum with fleas. Instead do not vacuum until you have put the Borax along the walls and throughout the carpet and left it for a minimum of a few hours. Then vacuum and if you like leave about a half inch...
Homemade Pasta
How much pasta does this recipe make? Serving sizes? Ive been looking for Paste Sheets but no one sells them around here.
Homemade Pasta
I found some pasta sheets, got a case for $20.00 from Perinos pasta factory in Lincoln Park, Mi. Theres enough to make Lasagna about 5 times. Im going to use them for rolling up cannallonis though. http://www.pierinofrozenfoods.com/products.html
Always Live Beneath Your Means
Yes, when buying a house shop in price range for a payment that is only 1/4 your monthly income, not 1/3 as the bank will say you can afford. That way you will always have no problem making the payment instead of a constant struggle. Speaking of making gifts...
How Long Are Seeds Good For?
I put many of my seeds in the freezer a couple weeks before I plant them, it fools them into over wintering. not all seeds work this way though.
How Do I Sell My House to My Son?
You have to have a title search and they will do all the paper work. Hopefully your son will have his own mortgage, and you will be free and clear of it. You dont have to have an attorney or realtor but to sell a house.
Switch To Dollar Stores For Shopping
Dollar stores and Walmart have some good prices but neither one sells very many, if any American made products. I look for those products and will buy them first even if they are a few cents more. If you want your family, friends and neighbors to have a job...
Why Are My Green Beans Yellow?
My green bean plants are turning yellow with rusty looking tiny spots on the leaves and then they are falling off. Any help would be appreciated. In this picture they dont look that bad but they are worse and dieing now.
Getting Rid Of Milkweed?
Can someone send me some Milkweed seeds, I get Monarchs flying through but they dont stop because theres no milkweed, i would love to grow some. I keep Dill growing for the Black Swallowtails.
Getting Rid Of Milkweed?
Milkweed is the only plant that Monarch Caterpillars feed on. Getting rid of it is getting rid of Monarch Butterflies.
When Should I Plant Garlic?
I have planted mine in the spring and fall, the fall crop does better but you have to plant it a little deeper in the fall and about 6 weeks before the ground freezes, here in Michigan I try to get it in by mid October so it has a chance to sprout up through...
When Should I Plant Garlic?
This year I planted it in the fall. I put a cover over the raised bed to see if it will give them a boost in growth over the winter. As always gardening is an experiment every year so Ill let you know if this one does anything to improve the size of the garlic...
Alternate Rival Vacuum Sealer Bags?
I dont shop at Wally mart or sams ripoff club but Ive found that Target has the best price and they do occasionally go on sale. Foodsaver brand seem to be the best, I always seal mine twice about a half inch apart. usually about $8.99 a roll or pack of bags...
Alternate Rival Vacuum Sealer Bags?
I do reuse some of my bags but not if they have had meat in them. I wash them with dish soap and hot water and let them dry thoroughly.
Freeze Lunch Sandwiches in Advance
This is a great idea !! Cupcakes too. Im a big freezer fan, many times when Ive had leftovers I freeze them so just in case I dont feel like the same food on the next day its all taken care of.
Cook Cheaper Cuts of Meat in Soda Pop
yuck, I wouldnt pour a bunch of chemicals on my food and then serve it.
Drying and Storing Herbs
Ive been drying herbs for about 5 years now. It is exciting using the herbs and sharing them with friends and family. Ive tried different ways to dry them and now I spread them out on brown paper bags topped with a piece of paper towel , if the herbs are really...
Drying and Storing Herbs
My garden is only about 6 x8 and I have 3, 4x4 raised beds. you can grow a lot of herbs in a small area.
Baking Soda for Facial Scrub
Ive been using it for quite some time, works great, but as with all scrubs, youre not supposed to use it every day or when you have bad acne or rub too hard, remember your lightly scrubbing your skin not trying to rub it off.
Use Thanksgiving Weekend to Sort and Donate Extra Stuff
If you craft items such as: felt, Styrofoam balls, crayons, markers and so on, consider giving them to the local elementary school. They can always use more stuff.
Keeping Dogs from Peeing in Flower Beds?
Its amazing how dog owners seem to think its ok to let their animals pee all over other peoples yards. It isnt necessary to allow your dog to pee on every pole or plant they walk by, they are only marking everything and not doing it to empty their bladder, if...
Christmas Cards Slipper
My grandmother used to this all the time back in the 60s and 70s, she taught me how to do some of it but I havnt done any of it since the late 70s. I still have a basket and shoe (pencil holder)and a lamp shade from then. She also made Lamp Shades, different...
Garden: Butterflies To Be
Very cool, Ive been trying to find milkweed seeds so I can plant some so the Monarchs will stop by for a longer time here in Michigan.
Garden: Butterflies To Be
Very cool, Ive been trying to find milkweed seeds so I can plant some so the Monarchs will stop by for a longer time here in Michigan.
Uses for Dried Chili Peppers?
Get a coffee grinder and grind them up, then you can use it as you would in any dish. As said prior, put it in soup, guacamole, chili, roast, any where you would use pepper. I keep a grinder that I use only for spices and herbs. Sprinkle some in the bushes...
Has Anyone Used DMSO?
Use of this product is generally administered by a physician, maybe you should consult a doctor before using it further.
Kill Weeds Between Paving Stones
I have been using white vinegar for years it is environmentally safe, works well, using poisons in your yard is never a good thing. As far as cheap vinegar goes, there is no difference in the product if you choose to pay more for it, you are wasting your money...
Gardening: Mini Greenhouse for a Head Start
For the best crop of garlic, you plant it in the fall at least 6 weeks before the ground freezes. Usually I plant it around the first of October. I did find that once the snow started piling up the tomato cage I used started collapsing so this fall I will rig...
Gardening: Mini Greenhouse for a Head Start
I just harvested my garlic yesterday. It is a very good crop this year, I got about 70 bulbs and they are 2 or more inches in diameter, not bad for Michigan garlic.
Reduce Cat Allergies With Monthly Bathing
Removing the carpet from the house will take away the biggest problem with dander. My husband is pretty much cured since we removed the carpet a few years ago. We went from going to the emergency room very often, to using his inhaler only about once a year...
Use Press and Seal for Seedling Containers
Put some on the top too, to hold the heat in till they sprout.
Outdoor Herb Garden?
This picture is from spring 2007. I grow flowers and cucumbers here also. This area is about 6 ft x 7 ft.
Freeze Berries on a Baking Pan
I have been freezing them for years, I dont use spray oil or even wash strawberries, raspberries or black berries, I just put them on a pan or plastic container, single layer, and freeze. Then they can be vacuum sealed without getting crushed. Blueberries can...
The Basics of Square Foot Gardening
Im love my raised beds. When you go to the lumber supplier like Lowes or Homedepot, know before you go what size you want it to be, then pick out your piece of lumber, whether its 16ft x 8 in. to make a 4 x 4 bed or whatever shape & height you decide on and...
Growing: Rosemary?
This past Fall I wrapped it in clear plastic and then put burlap over that and tied it with twine then put rock around it to hold it all down, well see if it survives this year. I got my thyme to survive over the winter of 2008 so Im hoping this will work for...
Save With a Vacuum Sealer
I reuse my bags too except those that have had meat in them. I cook extra macaroni and freeze it in 1 quart bags then when I want to make soup I can just grap a bag and throw it in. I buy berries in bulk in the summer and freeze them in pint and quart size...
Red Balls To Deter Birds From Tomatoes
Ive been growing tomatoes for several years, Ive never heard of birds eating tomatos. Must be some strange birds in Texas. Did you see them do it? Maybe theyre getting eaten by tomato worms.
Making Crunchy Canned Pickles?
The trick is soaking them in coarse salt to draw out the water, for at least an hour. The salt will get rinsed off after. Try Martha Stwearts pickle chips: These are refrigerator pickles but can easily be canned. http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo...
Making Crunchy Canned Pickles?
Id rather have a slightly less crisp pickle than putting alum in my food.
Planting a Tomato Plant?
I think you should pick the tomatoes off as it is too early to start producing tomatoes. That way the plant will have a chance to grow more and get use to its new enviroment.
Using Every Bit of Laundry Detergent
Yes I do this everytime, the lid usually comes out with my middle finger though. I usually rinse it while the water is running in the wash tub and is plenty for the last load of the bottle.
What is This Plant?
We had a major invasion of purple loosestrife in Michigan, they brought in a certain bug from Asia that feeds on it exclusively to help get rid of the stuff. Loosestrifes are considered invasive plants in the western hemisphere they are an EuroAsian plant and...
Slugs Inside My House?
Salt! Salt will stop them in their tracks, I put Sea Salt on my porch and anywhere else I see them, they are stopped immediately and die. Doesnt have to be sea salt, its just easier to see where youve put it.
What is This Plant? (Pothos)
I believe the Pothos is correct. I had one for years, grows well with minimal light and not too much water. Mine grew to 20 feet I hung it so it would grow around the ceiling of my living room. If the branches start loosing leaves in the middle, cut off the...
Princess Party Cake
Even a more simple way, is to use a bundt pan after its cool put the cake on a plate stand the doll in the middle and decorate. you may have to trim the bottom of the cake so it sits flat on the plate.
Garlic Bulbs Rotted?
I agree, do not cut the tops off. Some garlic gets a flower stem that will look like a twisted winding stem, that can be cut off but nothing else. Also cut down on watering the month before harvest,about once a week, garlic likes hot, sandy, well draining soil...
Garlic Bulbs Rotted?
Another picture. This is what they looked like at the end of May. Theres about 60 bulbs in this 4x4 bed. I do rotate my crops so in the fall I will be using a different bed.
Looking for "No Sew" Hemming Adhesive?
I never shop at Walmart, you can find it at Joann Fabrics or Micheals crafts.
Will Cantaloupe Ripen in the Fridge?
Putting it in the fridge will stop all growth and ripening. as she said below, leave it on the counter, it will start turning orange within a couple days.
Paying Your Bills On Time
I pay my bills (on-line) when they are due not ahead of time. Why should I allow the electric company to collect interest on my money when I could be doing that for another 2 weeks. Check payments only need about 5 days to get there on time.
Paying Your Bills On Time
Paying on-line. Rather than paying bills through the bank which charges you for the service, go to the actual website of your provider, such as your credit card co., or electric co. and pay there. They take your payment for free.
Slice of Pizza Halloween Costume
Making all the toppings is a good way to use up all your little scraps of felt.
Controlling Rabbits In The Garden
Ive found chicken wire to be the most effective. Rabbits will eat just about anything, even stuff they dont like if theyre desperate. They chewed my Marigolds to the ground. Someone said human hair in the garden. no thanks, hair is not biodegradable.
Ready Made Salads In Ziploc Bowls
Youre right about the paper towel trick. I always put them in my strawberries, raspberries, fresh herbs and lettuce. Theyll keep a week that way. In the last week or so Ive eaten at least 4 salads that I wouldnt have (out of laziness) eaten normally. The point...
Ready Made Salads In Ziploc Bowls
You could also make little kits of fresh fruit and veggies for the kids, sliced apples, celery, carrots green peppers and on and on. Plastics zip bags or containers are fine, the idea is to have it ready and accessible, no searching around for something to...
Planning a Wedding for Under $3000?
Buy a dress online, you can get them cheap and there are more sizes available, buy one size up and the alterations will not cost as much. Skip all the flowers, only buy what you need for the wedding party and parents. Your reception will still be fun without...
Squirrels Dug Up and Ate Sunflower Seeds?
I had the same problem last year, the squirrels kept eating them and I kept replanting. Then I used the chicken wire and anchored it with tent stakes. I shaped it into arches so the plants could get a little growth before I removed it. Its hard to tell but...
Reducing the Cost of Feeding a Family
Buy fresh veggies when on sale and freeze. I buy fresh mini portbello mushrooms pre-sliced and just pop them in the freezer in the package they come in. I bought tons of broccoli when it was $1.00 a pound chopped it all up and put it in gal. bags, no pre cooking...
Homemade "Beehive" to Keep Bees Away
Why the hell would you want to scare the bees away! Bees are a gardeners best friend. I hope you scared them away enough to send them up here to Michigan, we need them badly. Right now all we have is a few wasps and some bumble bees as pollinators.
Blossoms Falling Off Tomato Plants?
As someone else said, its generally unpollinated blooms. Tomatoes are self pollinating through the blowing wind and the blooms only last a day or so without pollination (same with cucumbers) and then theyll fall off. If you are growing indoors or there hasnt...
What Are Hedge Apples Good For?
I would never use anything like this just because the internet says so. (@@)
Use Vinegar For Fruit Flies
I just have a jelly jar with holes poked in the top, half full with apple cider vinegar sitting next to my fruit/vegetable bowl and I rarely see fruit flies. For some reason they dont like it. Works great. I just refresh the vinegar once in a while as it evaporates...
Bumble Bee On Flower
Bumble bees can sting but unless you are attacking it or its nest, they will just go about their business.
Make Frozen Pesto from Home Grown Basil
Im sorry, I never saw this reply till now. I use a cup or 2 of basil leaves (meaning smashed into a cup). About 1/2 - 1 cup of sliced almonds (I dont like pine nuts), and lots of garlic (probably about 5 cloves). I put all that in the food processor till well...
Killing Weeds With Vinegar?
I dont use Orange Oil, I just use full strength Vinegar, it cheap and work good. The only thing I might change would be adding something to thicken it so it doesnt run off, maybe cornstarch or something.
Controlling Invasive Herbs
Every year I have to trim my Oregano to keep it from spreading all over my garden. I also have to pull out bunches of Lemon Balm its everywhere. If I were to let these two go they would wipe out everything else in my Garden.
Keeping Vegetables and Fruit Crisper
Ive been doing the paper towel trick for years, works especially good with highly vulnerable fruits and veggies like berries and lettuce. The first thing I do when I get my berries home is put a half sheet of paper towel (do not rinse them) in the container...
Smiley Face Door Knob Cover
How does it grip the doorknob, looks like it would slip and youd have a hard time actually opening the door? I would sew a piece of that rubber rug grip/cupboard mat stuff inside.
Recycled Garden Wind Chimes
If it gets tangled when its really windy then your twine is too long, mine are only 6-8 inches.
Keeping Chickens Out of the Garden?
The very best, most fool proof way to keep the chickens out of the garden, make chicken soup. ;P
Saving Money on Coffee
Left over coffee can be put in a glass jar and refrigerated to either be used as Ice Coffee later or heated in the micro wave.
Keeping Kitty Out of Your Christmas Tree
When I used to have cats, i would put Orange peels under the tree. You can hide them under the top skirt or put them in the water, Cats hate citrus smells and will keep their distance.
Butterfly in the Afternoon
Its likely that it was a different Monarch that laid the next batches of eggs as each generation only lives a few weeks, except the last generation of the year will make the journey to Mexico and become the first to lay eggs in the spring. They will die and...
Butterfly in the Afternoon
P.S. the plant is Tropical Milkweed. Milkweeds are the only species of plants that Monarch caterpillars eat.
Fruit Fly Trap
You dont even need the dish soap. Just use a small jar and poke small holes in the lid, fill half way with apple cider vinegar and water and let it do the magic. Flies go in but cant get out.
No Luck with Moth Balls
Moth balls are poison. It is illegal to throw moth balls outside, they are toxic and poisonous to humans and animals.
Chocolate Avocado Pudding
Definitely better than eating a pile of corn starch and granulated sugar but dates are still high in sugar so Im wondering if you could cut that down?
Protecting Cabbages from White Butterflies
Thats a good environmentally friendly solution, corporate farms could take a lesson. The Cabbage White dont bother me though, i grow broccoli, they eat the leafs only and i eat the broccoli flower heads.
