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Recipes for Non-Cooks[email protected] 
  
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Household Deodorizers
 
 
NO NEED TO BUY EXPENSIVE GARBAGE FRIDGE CARPET OR DISPOSAL FRESHENER'S:
For the GARBAGE..
A simple box of baking soda mixed with GROUND CLOVES will do..
Sprinkle a bit on the bottom of containter.. IN BAG IF YOU WISH..
(I have a box of this mixed in a  GLASS container for everything.. ALL THE TIME!! TWO boxes of baking soda with a small container of ground cloves.. Is  PLENTY!! for your need's...)
For your DISPOSAl:
Every time you have fresh citrus fruit.. Such as orange, lemon, lime, .. ORANGE IS BEST..Cut the peeling's small and use in disposal..SAVE IN FRIDGE FOR THE NEXT DAY IF YOU NEED TO!! LEMON IS NICE ALSO!!!
HOWEVER..IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BUY THAT BOX OF GARBAGE FRESHENER.
You can use it to freshen a closet.. No need to sprinkle.. Just place in a safe small bowl .. In the CLOSET..  Same in a bedroom, living room or room of your choice..
Add some to a well-secured cheesecloth as a drawer fresher.
If you wash you floor or anything else with BLEACH..
Pour it down the kitchen or bathroom sink.. (Unless you might clog it) This will BLEACH THE AREA.
Wipe your no-wax cleaner stuff mixed with water or whatever around your sinks and tubs.  It will help keep them clean..
 
 
 
6/19/2004
Roasted Peppers
 
 
Roasted Fresh Peppers:
 
 
Place fresh peppers on aluminum foil, then broil for about 10 minutes on each side or until blackened.  Gather the foil around each pepper until cooled.  The loosened skins will then peel off easily.
 
From Gary Heete of Jamestown, NC, via Taste of Home Magazine, Feb/Mar 2001 http://www.tasteofhome.com
Reply from dianne11323:
 
RESEALABLE FOIL!!!
GREAT STUFF!!
This idea works great for kakobs and broiled veggies also..
 
 
 
6/19/2004
Vacation Remembrances
 
 
 For a great family rememberance of a camping trip ot vacation.
Bring some GOOD HEAVY cardboard. Cut into frame sizes. The cardboard will be the FRAME OF THE PICTURE YOU ORDER. Cut the inside of the cardboard to just cover the outer edges of your picture.. Enough so you can glue the picture on. If you wish, have another piece of cardboard for backing. Do not cut inside of back piece. Glue back to front after you have glued the picture in the front. 
Collect TREASURES.. Seashells, tiny rocks, seeds, WHATEVER!! Anything that will remind you of the vacation or special outing!!!
(You should see some of our PICTURE FRAMES !!!!!!!)
With glue gun or Elmer's glue. (We use ELMER'S!!! Much safer for tiny fingers..)
Fasten the TREASURES around the picture frame.. One tip, do not make large groupings or alot of heavy TREASURES for one frame. TINY LITTLE GROUPINGS.. Mixing light weights with heavier weights..
Allow to completely dry!!!
ENJOY!!!
We have done this for 30 years.. WE HAVE SOME GREAT ONES!!! Hmm, DO THEY EVEN MAKE ANY DIFFERENT KIND OF PICTURE FRAMES???
Great idea for a grandparent or loved one who could not attend the outing.. 
 
 
 
6/19/2004
Uses for Corn Starch
 
 
SOME IDEA'S FOR CORN STRATCH
-------------------------------
Kill cockroaches.
Mix equal parts Corn Starch and plaster of Paris. Sprinkle the mixture in cracks and crevices. Cockroaches will eat the mixture and "petrify."

I DO THIS ALL THE TIME, AND IT WORK'S!!!!!!!!

-----------------------------

Clean a carpet.
Sprinkle Corn Starch on the carpet, wait thirty minutes, then vacuum clean.
------------------------------

Clean blood stains.
Immediately cover the spot with a paste of Corn Starch and cold water. Rub gently, place the object in the sun until dry to draw the blood into the corn starch, then brush off. Repeat if necessary.
-----------------------------------------------

Make spray starch for clothing.
Mix one tablespoon Corn Starch and one pint cold water. Stir to dissolve the corn starch completely. Fill a spray bottle and use as you would any starch. Be sure to shake vigorously before each use.
---------------------------------------------

I do this when packing away old books.. This seems to really help..

Prevent or kill mildew in damp books.
Sprinkle Corn Starch throughout the book to absorb the moisture from damp pages, wait several hours, then brush clean. If the pages are mildewed, brush the corn starch off outdoors to keep mildew spores out of the house.
---------------------------------------

Detangle knots.
Sprinkle a stubborn knot with a little Corn Starch.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT.. THIS REALLY DOES WORK!!!!!

-----------------------------------------

Absorb excess polish from furniture.
After polishing furniture, sprinkle on a little Corn Starch and rub wood with a soft cloth.

--------------------------------

Clean silver.
Make a paste with Corn Starch and water. Apply with a damp cloth, let dry, then rub off with cheesecloth

-------------------------------

Remove grease or oil stains from smooth fabric.
Apply Corn Starch to the spot, wait twelve hours, brush off, then launder as usual.
 
 
 
6/22/2004
Uses for Dental Floss
 
 
Some idea's for Waxed or non Waxed DENTAL FLOSS..
-----------------------------------------

Repair the mesh screeningon playpens.
Sew up the rip with Waxed Floss.
--------------------------------

Repair a tent or backpack.
When hiking or camping, Waxed Floss makes a durable, strong thread for tough repairs.
-------------------------------------

Sew buttons on heavy coats.
Use Waxed Floss as a durable thread.

I used this on my kids shirts way back when they were little. Kids seem to lose there buttons on there shirts so I tried this it really works on winter coats too works well.

-------------------------------

Hang pictures, sun catchers, or wind chimes.
Waxed Floss is stronger and more durable than ordinary string.
 
 
 
6/22/2004
Uses for Lemon Juice and Lemons
 
 
SOME IDEA'S YOU CAN USE LEMON JUICE OR LEMON'S FOR..
-----------------------------------
Remove ink spots from clothing.
While ink is wet, apply Lemon liberally to the spot, then wash the garment in normal cycle with regular detergent in cold water.

I will say, this works best if you can line dry your garment in the sun.
I use Real Lemon juice FROM THE STORE!!! The stuff in the green bottle..
--------------------------------------------

Remove rust and mineral discolorations on cotton t-shirts and briefs.
Use one cup Lemon juice in the washer.
Again, best if you can SUN DRY THE GARMENT'S...

----------------------------

THIS ONE IS MY FAVORITE, AND I DO THIS ALL THE TIME!!!!!
-----------------------------
Clean a microwave oven.
Add four tablespoons Lemon juice to one cup water in a microwave-safe, four-cup bowl. Boil for five minutes in the microwave, allowing the steam to condense on the inside walls of the oven. Then wipe clean.
 
 
 
6/22/2004
Grocery Shopping List
 
 
I do a lot of my grocery shopping on line and I have found it helpful to have a grocery list posted with a magnet on my refrigerator door.  I check things off as I need them.  I created a grocery list for myself which you can see by going to Our Cookbooks, then clicking on Documents, then on Shopping List.  You can open my list and then download it and edit it to suit yourself with Microsoft Word.  It will fit on one letter-size page.  I have also included it in today's General Message Board posting as an attachment.
 
These sites will deliver nonperishable groceries anywhere within the continental United States.  They carry almost everything you might think of.
Reply from dianne11323 on 6/24/04:
 
This is a GREAT idea..
I do not do my grocey shopping on line.
For those of you who do not..
PRINT OUT HER LIST AND PLACE ON YOUR FRIDGE, OR WHEREVER IS YOUR BEST SPOT.. (Believe it or not, I have a grocery list in the bathroom, right next to the "MOM OR WHOEVER NEEDS TO DO WHATEVER DAILY MESSAGES.." Everyone in this house goes in that room some time during the day.. A small corkboard bullentin board.. Message pad's, pins, and pen's available...) We also have a list by the fridge..
When a family member takes the last of something, remind them to check THE LIST..
If your are concerned about the cost of ink for your printer's.. PRINT A COUPLE AND CUT TO FIT FOR THE GROCERY STORE PRINTING MACHINES. 
I already have my families favorites printed out and on the fridge and in the bathroom.. And, believe it or not.. THEY DO CHECK IT OFF AS THEY EMPTY SOMETHING, OR WANT SOMETHING BOUGHT..
Doing all this on line would be easier than going to the store..
Yet, I find the STORE is where I run into everyone and TALK, TALK, AND TALK SOME MORE..
Besides.. It's 50 yards from the garage to the house.. Up and down 5 step's.. I like the little exercise..
WONDERFUL IDEA!!!!
Dianne.
 
 
 
6/23/2004
Vanilla, Booze and Raisins
 
 
 
( I’m not sure I believe this one...)
    
 
Edie James of Iberia, Ohio says, “If you are running short on vanilla, you can mix it half-and-half with whiskey and nobody will be the wiser!�?

Reply From dianne11323

I'm not sure I believe this one either, YET.. I KNOW MY REALLY OLD COOKBOOK'S DO SAY YOU CAN USE COFFEE, WHISKEY, RUM,  OR BRANDY IN PLACE OF VANILLA..
I find the booze DOES HELP THE VANILLA FLAVORINGS THOUGH.. I usually add coffee as the liquid for all my chocolate baking, a splash of booze if I think it will taste great. AND IT ALWAYS DOES.. I seldom use beer for baking, BUT I ALMOST ALWAYS USE BEER FOR COOKING..
VANILLA HAS ALOT OF ACHOLOL AFTER ALL..
A SWEET ACHOLOL..
Growing up, Our cook always USED  DRUNKEN RAISINS!!!! SHE  MADE THEM EVERYTIME SHE USED RAISINS FOR ANY TYPE OF BAKING.. (Personally, I think she liked the raisins.. Tee Hee.. We ALWAYS HAD OF BOWL OF RAISINS IN THE FRIDGE!!)
I still leave my raisins in  a bowl of pure rum overnight in the fridge.. I THINK SHE IS COMPLETELY RIGHT...Now that I think about it..
My recipe has VERY LITTLE VANILLA IN IT.. It says, "VANILLA, IF YOU HAVE IT"; USE JUICE FROM RAISINS AS VANILLA..
This just might be true...
Dianne.
 
 
 
6/25/2004
Cooking Bacon
 
 

Here's a tip for cooking bacon:

     

Instead of frying bacon, lay strips on a jelly roll pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Prepared this way, bacon comes out crisp and flat. Plus, the pan cleans easily, and there's no stove-top spattering.

Reply from dianne11323

If you own a GEORGE FORMAN GRILL. Cook your bacon in it.

We usually cook an entire pound of bacon and crumble. USE FOR SALADS. Our family eats a lot of salad. A SPRINKLING OF REAL BACON ON IT IS GREAT.  I use this as a wonderful addition to a quick potato thingie..

If you live alone, PUT SMALL SERVING SIZES IN FREEZER. KEEP ONLY WHAT YOU WILL USE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS IN FRIDGE.
--------------------
If you prefer to fry single slices every morning, (The smell is wonderful!!) REMOVE THE ENTIRE POUND OF BACON FROM WRAPPING BEFORE YOU FREEZE OR STORE IT.
Place single pieces BETWEEN WAX  paper or tin foil ( I use resealable tin foil..) Seal in a double bagged baggie.. If you need to unthaw to remove, just a few seconds in a microwave will be enough to remove your single serving choices. You  should be able to pull your choices away easily..
 
THE BACON IS REALLY GREAT ON THE JELLY ROLL PAN. THINK ABOUT A BROILER PAN. SPRAY IT, LAY  IT, AND BAKE IT. (ALL BACONS OR SIDE PORKS) 
 
 
 
6/26/2004
Gift Wrapping Ideas
 
 
Gift Wrapping Ideas.
---------------------------------
Leftover pieces of wallpapering...Use to wrap any gift..
Heavy duty tin foil makes a pretty package...Wrap a shoe box top and bottom seperatly with either wall paper or tin foil and you have a nice easy-open gift box.
Popcorn tins make an easy package for something that needs a round container. (Look for these at resale shops and garage sales!!)
The colored comics from the newspaper works nicely also.
The smooth colored JUNK STUFF in the newspaper is great!! ( I often wrap all our Christmas presents in newspaper... TONS OF WRAPPING PAPER FOR THIS VERY LARGE FAMILY!! I also use as many  reuseable containers as I can. No need to throw away something I can use for many years to come; ie, baskets, popcorn tins, pencil boxes...)
Use leftover yarn pieces for bows... Cut to desired length. Secure with a small rubber band and then glue to package. Again, you can find leftover yarn at almost any garage sale...
Cut off gallon jugs (milk, bleach, laundry soap..), well cleaned. Glue leftover fabrics outside and inside for a nice open gift package. If desired, Add a little filling by stuffing a couple of old nylons behind the fabric before gluing to jug.  Add a quick pocket...(Really great idea for baby/wedding shower..) 
All little girls love purses. Fill an old purse  with WHATEVER.. Two presents in one.. (Again, resale shops and garage sales!!!)
Small decorative tin or wooden boxes make an easy
package. (RESALE SHOPS AND GARAGE SALES!!)
Old backpacks can be filled with some really cool stuff, you know!!!
ANY AND ALL BASKETS WILL BECOME A GIFT PACKAGE WITH A PRETTY BOW AND A FEW SHEETS OF THIN PRETTY PAPER.
Save those small boxes that have secure lids.. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU MIGHT NEED SOMETHING FOR A QUICK GIFT BOX WRAPPED IN TIN FOIL/ OR WHATEVER.... I wrap mine in the heavy duty tin foil before I put them away in the large covered plastic container I keep for all my reuseable gift giving stuff. That way they are ready when I need something quickly; the same with a few shoe boxes.  A great way to use up those LAST FEW PIECES OF REAL WRAPPING PAPER YOU CUT OFF FROM THE ROLL...
FABRIC LEFTOVERS ARE WONDERFUL GLUED ON ANY CONTAINER!!!!!  No need to use glue, though. Old Sheets and draperies make nice, QUICK wrappings. SECURE FABRIC ENDS together for weird spaced thingies with a rubber band. Then spray on a little glitter. You can find this at a craft store. OR.. Glue on a few bows here and there.
(That spray-on glitter stuff is great!!)
 
 
 
 
6/26/2004