Cooking With Ground Turkey?
I use a good old fashioned potato masher to break down ground beef and ground turkey, when cooking.
Oven Baked Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
I too started making grilled cheese sandwiches in the oven. I have 2 football player sons, who can eat more than a few at one time, so started doing it so I could make a bigger quantity. It really works - I think the cheese seems meltier because the bread dries...
Adding Leftovers to Jarred Spaghetti Sauce?
Lazy? Not at all. While you may not actually be making sauce, you are doctoring it up as my mom used to say. I personally dont find any brand of jarred sauce that tasty right out of the jar or can, but I keep it on hand for a quick meal, and I surely doctor...
Keeping Brown Sugar Soft?
Keliz, I do the same thing. I keep it in an airtight container and throw the heel of the bread on top. When that gets dry, I replace it with a new piece. It even works if the sugar is already hard. Just take it out of the bag, break it into pieces and put it...
How Can I Save Money When Buying a Mattress?
I wouldnt recommend buying a used mattress right now, when bedbugs are so rampant. Just keep your eyes open for a good sale, or do what I am considering - buy a platform bed of some sort. Then you only need a mattress and not a boxspring which would save some...
Spare Key For Car Door
Maybe the keys were taken out of the ignition and laid on the seat because she thought of something to do before leaving the car? Ive done it.
Paper Clip as Chip Bag Clip
Wooden pincher clothespins are the norm in my house. You can get like 50 in a pack at the dollar store.
Macaroni Goulash
I found a similar recipe, same thing, add hamburger to Kraft Mac and Cheese and then mix in some bottled BBQ sauce. Family loves it. I keep portioned bags of cooked hamburger in the freezer, so if you need a meal in a pinch, this does the trick!
Frying Breaded Foods?
I have the best success at making any coating stick, if I coat the meat first with flour, then egg, then the coating, whatever it is. It also helps to let the breaded meat sit for a bit and dry out some before frying.
Chicken and Veggie Casserole
I have a similar recipe that starts with a layer of frozen pierogies on the bottom. NOW its the best casserole you ever had! LOL. Great for a mid-winter comfort meal.
Augustana Special Casserole
Thanks Robin - thats what I thought, but I wanted to be sure. Ive noticed a lot of ingredients, when listed on this site, are identified by its regional description, we all do it, so before I wasted any of the ingredients.......
Augustana Special Casserole
One question - does chicken soup mean Cream of Chicken soup or something else? Thanks!
Overstock.com Free Necklace
Thanks for the tip! I just went in and signed up and my shipping was only $1.00!
Roast 'Sticky' Chicken
Ive made this recipe and it is fantastic! The long slow cooking time is what does it. I had never made a whole raosted chicken before, and this came out perfect. If youve never done one, this is the recipe.
Debt Reduction Companies in Iowa?
We just went through a program with Money Managment International/Consumer Credit Counseling and found them to be very supportive and above all reputable. I would check them out on the web, www.moneymanagement.org, to see if they have an office nearby. Its...
Making a Fake Wedding Cake?
If you go to a craft store that carries Wilton products, they sometimes also carry styrofoam cakes in all shapes and sizes. The styrofoam is more like the kind they used to make coolers with - not so porous. I found this out the hard way, when I was asked to...
Reusing Baby Mobiles As Christmas Ornaments
Oh my goodness! I did the same thing with my two boys, who are now 10 and 12. In addition, I took their wooden blocks and inserted a screw with a circular opening, and pulled ribbon through, and hung them too. Since they get a new ornament each year for Christmas...
Giving a Large Gift?
One of the more famous suggestions that Ive heard, is to take a picture of it, and wrap the picture. Or, you can attach a string to it, run the string through the house, and into a box, then when the box is opened, the recipient has to follow the string. You...
Meatloaf for Kids?
Go to Foodnetwork.com and look up Paula Deens meatloaf recipe. As Rachael Ray would say, Yum-O. Its a keeper. It does have have some onion in, which you could certainly leave out - maybe substitute onion salt or onion powder, but the sauce is what makes it...
Preventing Moisture Buildup When Storing Cheese?
I have found the best way to store cheese to prevent moisture, is to wrap it first in good old fashioned wax paper, and then in foil. If the wax paper appears soft or damp, just replace it when you put it away again.
Motivation Tips for a Stay At Home Mom?
You sound like a great candidate for FLYLADY.NET. Id check it out right away. I think youll feel better. Itll get you out of your slump in babysteps. Good luck and take care!
Non-alcoholic Substitute for Wine in Recipes?
Ive seen chicken stock as a substitute, and sometimes apple juice.
Red Apple Fall Centerpieces?
If you want to use candles, you could core the apple first, with a corer that goes all the way through, and then insert pillar candles in fall colors(orange, gold, sage, burgundy). If you want to keep it shorter, you can buy the 6 in pillars rather than the...
Dump Cake
I started making this cake years ago, and just love it, however, my recipe is a little different. My recipe calls for a yellow cake mix, and before I drizzle the melted butter over the top, I add a layer of sweetened flaked coconut and chopped walnuts (but...
Giving Money as a Wedding Gift?
I am going with a standard of $50.00 right now. Were not in a position to offer any more than that, right now, since were trying to pay off our credit cards. I do, however, usually purchase an American Express gift check, rather than give cash - somehow it...
Butterfly Birthday Party?
If you find someone with a sterno type warmer, you could always make beef bbq. You could get a lot out of few pounds of hamburger. It wouldnt require electricity. You can also purchase cheap ones at a party store or a Big Lots if you have one in your area. We...
Painting My Cellphone?
Probably not the best idea. I do have a suggestion though, if your cell phone is boring to you. I have seen, at WalMart, packages of of tiny gemstones, just for decorating your cell phone. Ive seen them with the cell phone accessories and also in the craft...
Brownies - Tips and Recipes
To make really scrumptious brownies from a mix, mix according to the package, then add 1/2 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips or mini-chips, and a hole lot of chopped walnuts. A pan of these barely lasts through the evening when I make them, and they make a...
School Fundraiser Ideas for Students?
As the one responsible for coming up with new and exciting (?) ideas for our Little League organization, I got totally burned and burned out by selling perishable items like frozen pizzas, cookie dough, etc. I am always on the lookout for fundraisers that dont...
Dipping Party?
Oh yes, children love to dip. This sounds like it could be fun. Aside from the usual vegetables and dip, you could serve chciken nuggets with a selection of ketchup, bbq sauce, and sweet and sour; cut up fruit with a yogurt dip; apples with caramel dip; you...
Hawaiian Party Food?
I agree kidsnclutter on this one. Its not so much the food as the presentation. For really inexpensive Hawaiian decorations, you cannot beat Oriental Trading Company! Coconut shaped glasses, fancy toothpicks, serving platters and bowls - the possibilities are...
Re-Covering a Speaker Cabinet?
Rusty - I have seen home improvement shows where you can wallpaper with fabric. The fabric is dipped into a liquid starch solution, and then hung just like wallpaper. The cool thing is, when you get tired of it, it peels right off! This has been recommended...
Damage Done During a Party?
Sorry to hear about your misfortune. What kind of friends do you have? Not the kind I would invite back for future parties. I would certainly speak to them about the damages and the costs associated with repairing or replacing, but I wouldnt expect much. If...
Cookie Exchange Recipes?
I love the idea of a cookie exchange, but it seems like it comes at a very inconvenient time, right before the holidays. So, my solution? Whenever I am invited to a cookie exchange, I make fudge. All it requires is mixing a few ingredients, pouring it into...
Recipes for a Beginner's Cookbook?
I laughed when I read about the hard boiled eggs. It took me a few years to get them right - I could never remember the recipe. That would make a great entry for a beginners cookbook. But Im thinking if you just hit the internet, and look up beginners recipes...
Cleaning Canvas Window Shades?
You are obviously someone who believes in maintaining what you have rather than throwing away and buying new. Good for you. As one who has never seen a canvas window shade (at least I dont think so), only vinyl, I cant really offer any advice on cleaning, but...
We have a Mouse!
If youre not concerned with being humane - I certainly wasnt when it came down to cleaning up all of the mouse droppings around my sink and counter area - a regular mousetrap with peanut butter did the trick for me. We put the trap in the sink, then when it...
Recipe Using Day Old Bagels?
Day old bagels in our house, usually means that they get toasted rather than eaten fresh. But aside from that, we use them to make pizza - Toast them first, then add pizza sauce, mozzarella cheeses, and your favorite toppings. Put in the oven or under the broiler...
Centerpieces for Teachers Welcome Back Luncheon?
I like the plant idea, and the no apple part, but maybe you could spruce those plants up a little and make them school-y. A lot of teachers I know, spend a lot of their own money on special good job items for the kids, like stickers, pencils, markers, pencil...
Which Type Freezer Should I Buy?
For the little difference in cost, I think you should go with the upright freezer. Its much more convenient for retrieving frozen goods. Items seems to get lost in chest freezers, as its a pain to reach down deep for items on the bottom. I always heard it was...
Baking With Baby Formula?
I never heard of baking with baby formula, as I would think it would have somewhat of a sour taste, based on what it smells like, but rather than waste it, have you thought about donating it to a womens shelter? Sometimes moms flee a bad home with nothing but...
Preventing Bacon Grease Splatters
To prevent bacon grease from spattering - use your oven. Simply lay bacon slices in a jellyroll type pan or cookie sheet (you needs sides to collect the grease) and bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes. You can turn it over halfway through, but I have found...
Mama Lyn's Dry Rub Recipes
Mama Lyn - These sound great, but do you have any recommendations on whether they are better suited for different types of meat or seafood. Do some work better with chicken and pork rather than red meat, or vice versa. How about fish? Im sure they are all interchangeable...
Instead of Rice, Throw Flower Petals
I dont know how inexpensive this is, but I went to wedding several years back, where the guests released helium balloons as the bride and groom exited the church. They used white ones and also the color of the attendants gowns, predominantly white. If you bought...
Wine Rack Gift Ideas?
This fits right in with an idea that I am going to try the next time I go to a wedding. I was reading wedding gift ideas on another website, and the idea was to give the couple several bottles of wine, with a personal message to open each one at future anniversaries...
Easy Marinade for London Broil
I love marinades, but I just read recently that you SHOULD NOT poke or pierce holes into the meat you are marinating, as it will allow the natural juices to bleed out prior to preparation. Especially with steak -you dont want to lose that. Just a thought.
Decorated Baby Cake For Shower
What a cool design! As a cake decorator myself, who doesnt really like too use predesigned pans, I mainly design cakes based on my imagination and the materials available. Hope you dont mind if I borrow this should the occasion come up. Congratulations on your...
Cake Baking Tips
To make a super moist box cake - better than any bakery - add one extra egg and a box of pudding mix in a corresponding flavor. I bake and decorate cakes for family and friends and to make a little extra money, and everyone raves about them. So moist and yummy...
Just Moved - Birthday Ideas For a Lonely Boy?
Maybe you should post an Open House sign, that states, come to a birthday party for the new boy in town or something like that. Plan for some snack or finger foods, hot dogs, whatever. It might give you a good opportunity to meet up with the rest of the neighbors...
Favorite Magazines
Womans Day and Family Circle. They have been around forever, and I feel like I have been reading them forever, but I never miss an issue of either. They are like old friends and probably two of the most inexpensive magazines available. Word to the wise - If...
Need a Recipe for Spotted Dick?
John - Just checked on Yahoo. There are numerous websites with the recipe you are looking for - nakedwhiz.com, recipesource.com and thefoody.com are just the first three. Pull up the site and search for Spotted Dick. Good luck!
Five Decker Meal
Is there any liquid in this recipe to help it cook? Or is the bacon sufficient to keep it from sticking to the pan and burning? It just seems like it needs some water or something. Thanks,
Hearty History Dumplings
Is this all of the ingredients? Seems like there should be flour also. Thanks,
New Ideas For Church Fundraising?
I dont know where you are located but in the Northeast, everyone is in love with Longaberger Baskets. As the fundraising chairman for our local Little League, we tested the waters a few years ago, by holding a basket raffle. We purchased a collection of 10...
Bunny Cup Cakes With Edible Ears?
I made bunny ears with large marshmallows. Cut the marshmallow in half, across the middle, cutting the tube in half. Make sure the flat ends are at each end intact. This will cause the marshmallow to pinch, creating an elongated oval, with pointy ends. Pull...
Looking For Wholesale Spam Supplier?
Have you tried looking at the Hormel website. Usually there is a link to distributors, which could reveal someone in your area. I went to Hormel.com and there is tons of information. Unfortunately, I couldnt really take the time to dig deeper for you, but if...
Birthday Prize Ideas For Adults?
Depending on your budget, you can do wonders at a dollar store. This would certainly allow for more prizes to be given. Here are some thoughts: * Oversize coffee mugs - fill with flavored tea bags/hot cocoa * Bath and Body stuff - make a gift basket and fill...
Need a Color To Go With Navy Blue and Beige?
I think that if you are not looking to change the things you already have, like the curtains, then you are on the right track, as far as accesorizing. Definitely throw pillows, vases - a nice chenille throw draped over the recliner, maybe a red ottoman or something...
Need a Color To Go With Navy Blue and Beige?
Yes, yes - I agree with MissouriMom. I read your post and didnt even think about any other color than red. Find a beautiful shade of a subdued red, rather than a vibrant red - one that looks antique-y. If youre feeling patriotic, you can go Americana, or you...
Grandparent's Day Table Decorations?
Can you collect a school picture from each child - you know, the mini sized ones that always come with the packages of school pictures, that no one ever knows what to do with? If so, you can make flower pots for each table - Buy the terra cotta pots, the craft...
Tuna Tetrazzini
This caught my eye the day it appeared - I went home and made it that night. Quick and easy. Hubby loved it, kids hated the idea of the mushrooms, but picked them out. I actually used about 1/2 pound of pasta, and added an extra can of tuna and extra milk. I...
I Need Help Finding And Organizing Coupons?
Amy - Just one word of caution. Dont end up using coupons to buy a lot of stuff you normally wouldnt buy. I know there are tons of experts out there who have found ways of making couponing beneficial, but I have personally found that I am able to save more...
Temporary Solution For Ugly Kitchen Cabinets?
Just a thought, but I covered a couple of my woden kitchen cabinets with cork squares, that you would normally hang on a wall for a bulletin board. They hang with double-sided tape, which leaves a residue when pulled off, but the residue can be removed with...
Mushroom Steak Dianne
This caught my eye yesterday when I checked the daily tips. I made it for dinner! I didnt have sirloin, but used shoulder steak, cutting off all excess fat. I also used canned mushrooms and added them to the suace after the meat was done. It was really very...
Easy Christmas Tree Decorations
As a pack rat of all things sentimental in nature, I have hung many items on my tree that remind me of different periods of my marriage/family life. I have a set of crocheted bells that were made for me and attached to a wedding gift, the figures that were...
Where's Erma Bombeck When We Need Her? Uses For Unmatched Socks.
Could you donate them to a daycare or preschool for sock puppet making?
