Bed Sheets Repel Deer From Gardens

Yep, ordinary white bed sheets. Must be white. You'll see. Every once in a while a tip will come along that deserves honorable mention. Not only does it qualify because of multiple uses that make sense. It's completely doable for me. Meaning no crazy ingredients or instructions. An honorable mention has a little bit more. And this tip using bed sheets to repel deer from my garden, made me giggle. See if it doesn't put a smile on your face.

Circle your garden with cord about 3 feet from the ground. Then about every two feet tie strips of the white bed sheet. A flash of white, tail-high warns a deer to high-tail it. 

Image Mystic Art Design Pixabay

Please tell me you just smiled. Maybe a little?

We are not through with those white bed sheets just yet. 

• drop cloth when painting
• happy birthday banner, garage sale banner, welcome home banner  team banner, your get the idea.
• target practice once you draw a bull's-eye.
• very handy for taking to the lake to lay on while sunbathing, use as a towel or a tablecloth.

Speaking of tablecloths. You know those red and white checkered plastic table cloths sold in the summer. Grab one of these and let the kids use it to play checkers or for drawing. The ability to write on these tablecloths has been useful and fun at the same time for the adults too.

Image PixabayVictor Jumbo 

One more honorable mention before you go. 

Image Bruno Glatsch Pixabay

Stuffed animals are not just for setting around to look cute. I guess that is their main thing. But you know what else they can do while setting around looking cute. And by the way if  you are fresh out of stuffed animals, but dying to make some bookends. Don't buy them brand new. Save your money and adopt from a thrift store. They usually have a lot on the shelf. Some of them have the original tag attached.

  (I once found a Steiff stuffed dog at the bottom of the stuffed animal bin at a thrift store.) 

• set stuffed animals along the bottoms of windows and doors during the winter to stop a draft and set there looking all lined up and cute.
• insert rocks or marbles, sew them up, apply some rubber from a glove to the bottom of your stuffed animal bookend to prevent slipping, while sitting there looking cute.
• makes a great hiding place for valuables because they are cute, not hiding anything.

Speaking of stuffed animals. Some one should start a not-for-profit shelter and adoption center for all the homeless stuffed animals that go without needed love everyday. And too many are trashed and discarded, only to wind up at the landfill. Never to return.

Image Paul Brennan Pixabay

The shelter would also promote manufacturing awareness. From the manufacturers to the advertisers and all the other occupations involved. They must take  responsibility for the role they have played contributing to the stuffed animal crisis we see today.

Thanks for stopping by. 

Leave a comment and let me know where to repay the visit with a link. Do you agree with my choices for honorable mention? Maybe you have a candidate for the title? Share, please.

Resource: Reader's Digest Practical Problem Solver, 1992

Image Pixabay

3 DIY Must Haves

DIY Dry Shampoo

   Put 1 cup of oatmeal in the blender and grind it into a fine powder.  Add 1 cup of baking soda and mix well.  Rub a bit of the mixture into your hair.  Give it a minute or two to soak up the oil, then brush or shake it out of your hair.  Make sure you do this last step over a towel or sink, so you don't make a big mess by getting it all over.
     This works perfectly for man's best friend that refuses to take a bath.  Can be used for the bedridden too.

 Dry Shampoo Need To Know


DIY Makeup Remover Wipes

Follow this link for a great tutorial
http://www.beautylish.com/a/vxyrg/diy-makeup-remover-wipes

 DIY Jewelry Organizer 

You must see this new idea for a jewelry organizer.  I absolutely love it.  You don't have to worry about opening the proper drawer when taking off your jewelry.  You don't have to make sure to drape that necklace over the appropriate hook, hoping it won't fall.  With this style of organizer you simply aim and drop.  I have decided to make one.  Doesn't look hard at all.  The hardest part and actually the most fun part will be finding the pieces needed.  Let me show you what I am talking about. 

The possibilities are never ending.  Don't you agree?  I love this idea!  Can't wait to see what I can come up with.  Why don't you join me.  I will keep everybody up to date on my progress, step by step.  I will post a picture of my finished product.  I am inviting you to do the same.  I can't wait to see the masterpieces.  Maybe a contest for the best!  Ready. Set. GO!

http://diybeautycorner.com/diy-porcelain-jewelry-stand/
http://www.remodelaholic.com/diy-jewelry-stand/
http://www.awitpblog.com/2014/03/plate-candlestick-jewelry-holder-diy.html

3 Natural Effective Deodorizers For Home

     Simmering the eucalyptus leaves in water for 10 minutes will cleanse the air and it's good for your sinuses.

     For that musty or stale smelling odor in that room that hardly gets used.  But when you need to go in there, the smell is not pleasant.  You can either display a few branches in a vase or put together a decorative wreath to display right in the room. I have purchased eucalyptus at hobby lobby before. I am positive you will find it anywhere floral supplies are sold.  It's very popular stuff. A strong scent will last up to 2 weeks.

     Vinegar will neutralize cooking odors, musty smells in drawers and even cigarette smoke.  Pour the white vinegar in a deep glass dish about 1/2 inch should work.  Place the dish in the offending room or drawer until the odor dissipates.  Every household probably has vinegar in the pantry.  But if you don't, every grocery store in town will have some on the baking isle.  With Easter (April 5th) right around the corner, you will probably find your vinegar on display (sale priced?) with the egg coloring kits.

...force be with you.

Here's a link to make your egg dyes the natural way.

Half a dozen lemon slices plus a handful of cloves simmered together in water for about 10 minutes will eliminate strong odors from cooking fish or veggies.

DIY Christmas Ideas With BREAKING POO NEWS (you don't want to miss)

Luminaries

Take a medium-sized brown paper bag, put 2-3 inches of sand in it. and push a small candle into the sand in the center of the bag.  If you carefully fold down the top of the bag all around like a cuff, it will hold its shape better. The sand holds the candle in place and extinguishes it when it has burned down.  The bag protects the candle from the wind blowing it out and provides a warm golden light. Line your driveway with them or a walkway or both.   Use for parties and festive occasions, especially Christmas.  For a little flair, cut away some of the brown paper towards the top of the bag and the light will shine through.  They really are an astonishing sight to see all in a row lit up.

Breaking News! Special Report!  

Your regularly scheduled post will return after this special report.  Don't adjust your computer screen. Don't change the channel.  You are going to want to hear this. This day will go down in history.  And remember you heard it here first.

This just in!  A self-proclaimed "happy money saver." In her own words, "I'm trying to live the country dream in the city." Remarkable!  She has cracked the code.  And she is sharing it with you. You can enjoy the satisfying relief that comes from using this product for a whopping 96 % discount. That's right you heard me. Free diy recipe for "poo-pourri"  spray.  I need,  you need, everybody needs this product!  Read all about it by clicking the headline below.  You won't be sorry. What are you waiting for?  Go before it's gone! (I'm just kidding about that, it's not going anywhere.)  The happy money saver, aka Karrie wants us to join her on her journey so we all can live, "Happy lesser after."  Her words not mine.

Ingredients for DIY Fragrance pre-spray for the Bathroom

Now back to our regularly scheduled post...

It's up to you to decide where exactly you will use this idea for Christmas.  Give them as presents or sell them at a craft bazaar as tree ornaments.  They can be added to a wrapped present instead of a bow.  They can be hung on your rear view mirror in your car.  Attach to the end of a light pull or frame one with the poem. Put one or some in a decorated vase.  That should give you some inspiration on how to use this DIY Christmas idea.  I know you just can't stand it anymore.  Spit it out, you say.  What am I?

I'm an angel feather sent from God above.  

To serve as a reminder of his precious love.

I'm from your guardian angel assigned to you.  

I fell out in her struggles as she protected you.

Each time you stumble, each time you nearly fall.  

Thank God and his angels for answering your call.

Use your imagination to decorate.  Add some glitter and gold string.  Add some crystals.  A string of pretty beads attached at one end for hanging.  Craft stores sell white feathers and anything you might need to decorate.  Have fun with it.  I know I have.

Make Your Own Butter In 15 Minutes

Ingredients:
1 pint of whipping cream
air tight plastic container

yellow food coloring

spoon
toast (optional)

Instructions:
Pour the entire pint of whipping cream into the plastic container and seal the lid.
Shake the sealed container for 15 minutes or more.
Slowly pour out the milky liquid, leaving the butter in the container.
Add 2 drops of yellow food coloring and mix with a spoon.
Store in refrigerator.

Q.  What's that milky white liquid you slowly poured out from the butter?
A.   buttermilk (now you can make some pancakes)

Hidden DIY Treasure Has Been Discovered!

     I discovered a recipe buried way back in my collection.  The recipe is for something you don't see a recipe for very often,  hand lotion.  I don't recall making it.  Anyway, I'm glad I kept the recipe, so now we all can make it.

Recipe for hand lotion

1/2 oz gum tragacanth

4 oz cologne

4 oz glycerin

1 oz tincture or benzine, 

juice of two lemons

1 1/2 quarts soft water.  

Add the water to the gum.  Let stand for 24 hours.  After that time has passed, add the other ingredients.  Stir well. If too thick, add more soft water.

Bonus DOY

Sore Throat Relief

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon powdered borax

1 cup of very hot water.

Dissolve salt and borax in the hot water, and then gargle.

Of course these work too!

Naturade 0808840 Children's Exp (Google Affiliate Ad)

Naturade 0572909 Sugar Free EX (Google Affiliate Ad)Cepacol Extra Strength Sucrose-Free Lozenges, Honey Lemon, 16 Lozenges (Google Affiliate Ad)

Make Your Own Dry Potpourri

Cut the roses in the early morning after the dew is gone.  The fresher the flower, the more of the essential oil that will remain after the flower is dried.  Potpourri need not be composed exclusively of roses.  Add other fragrant garden flowers such as lavender, violets and freesia to mix with the roses and add fragrant or colorful leaves and herbs.

lavender

Gently pull the petals from the flowers.  You may wish to include some small leaves or tiny buds for more texture.  Select a place away from strong light, where warm air can circulate.  Spread the petals, leaves and buds on a drying rack.  Preferably a wooden one, because metal can discolor the petals.  Alternatively, place the plant material flat on layers of paper towels.  Stir or turn them every day. 

violets

Petals for dry mixtures should be completely dried, until they are like cereal flakes.  A few damp petals can spoil a whole batch of dry potpourri.  Complete drying takes from four days to two weeks.  It depends on the moisture in the petals and in the air.  If you are in a hurry, spread the petals on a cookie sheet and place them in a warm oven (110 degrees F).  Leave the door open to allow moisture to escape.  Stir the mixture gently  or shake the sheet from time to time so that the petals will dry evenly.  Drying usually takes only one to two hours this way.  However, the petals lose more of their color than when they are dried slowly.

nutmeg

To turn the petals into potpourri, mix them with spices and other fragrant material if desired.  Nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon sticks, lemon peel and other ingredients found in the kitchen add a tantalizing aroma to dry potpourri.  Add a fixative that will preserve the fragrance.  Common fixatives include orrisroot, benzoin and storax.  A quarter pound of any one of these is enough for one quart potpourri. 

Good Hiding Places For Valuables At Home

   
     My son's home has been broken into twice in the past month.    He is really devastated.  He lost some things he'll never get back.  Not to mention the emotional stress.  I'm thinking a few precautions on my part is warranted.  Times are tough and people seem to be doing some crazy things to survive.
     My mind goes blank when trying to think of a good hiding place.  Just when I think I've got it figured out, I'll second guess myself and become paranoid.  Burglars aren't mind readers are they? 
     I found a list of some common sense advice plus suggestions and tips for hiding that sock once I get it filled.  This is what I learned...

• Don't hide anything in the bedroom.  Thieves are very thorough when checking here.
• Don't hide anything in furniture with drawers.  Drawers are the first thing to be ransacked.
• Don't be paranoid.  If you have thought up a good location, relax, you probably have.
• BURGLARS CAN'T READ YOUR MIND!  That's what it said.

     Good hiding places are in the attic, basement or other out-of-the-way areas.  In the majority of burglaries the kitchen is never touched.  That's good to know.  Here's some ideas to try.

• Phony wall switches or generic label cans can be found by mail-order.  I've actually came across a fake head of lettuce in some one's fridge before.
• A hollowed out book is something else on the market that slides right on your bookshelf among the others, none the wiser.  Note:  If you choose to use a  real book, don't forget which book you chose.  Use the title to remind you.  For example, "Appreciating Life's Little Treasures".

• Inside zippered couch cushions.  They usually don't want your couch.
• Place valuables in a plastic bag and bury them in the dirt of a plant.
• Under the carpet would be a great place to hide a key.
• Wrapped up and labeled as food in the refrigerator or freezer.  That would fool anyone.
• In between stacks of pots in the kitchen.

     Your best hiding places for household valuables would be anything inconvenient to take apart or something that looks completely innocent.  For example:

• Inside an old, out-of-order vacuum cleaner or TV in the basement. 
• In a pile of scrap wood beneath the workbench. 
• In the middle of a sack of grass seed.

     I think you've got the idea.   

Related articles

• Best Place to Hide Money at Home (bargaineering.com)
• How-To: Hollow Book Jewelry Box (craftzine.com)
• Why thieves are targeting the middle classes (confused.com)