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

Plastic Lids, Potatoes and Wading Pools Have This In Common

Potatoes, wading pools and plastic lids are all super stars when it comes to usefulness and easily done.  Easily done means no crazy ingredients or weirdness. Those are the two requirements that must be met for any tip to get my attention. They all passed the test with flying colors.

I know for sure I will never look at a plastic lid the same way again. A bag of potatoes will become a staple again in my kitchen. And I guess I'm just speechless when it comes to the wading pool.

Potatoes on Overtime

• Dye your hair darker with potato water. Dip a comb in the water that potatoes were boiled in and then comb through hair. To speed the effect and help set the darker color, dry hair in the sun or a blow dryer. Heat is what we are going for here. I have had success with putting on a shower cap. The heat coming from my head is trapped which intensifies the effects of dye.

• Black paint is made by baking potatoes until they are completely dried out and black. Grind thoroughly with a mortar and pestle. I bet there is a setting for that on a fancy blender or maybe food processor. I don't have either so it's up to you to let me know by leaving a comment. Add enough linseed oil to form a paint like consistency. I never have enough black paint.
• First aid kit inclusion as a compress after an accident. Boil a potato for a warm compress. Put that boiled potato in the refrigerator for a cold compress.
• First aid kit as itch relief. Salt a thin slice of a raw potato. Rub on hives or insect bites for itch relief.

Plastic Lids Do Double Duty

• Use the caps from spray paint cans to organize the screws, nails and other small find-me-not items that scatter about. Attach caps to a sturdy bottom so it's easily removed or maybe just setting them down in a drawer is just as good. An easy trim if they are a little too tall.  
• A three or four inch plastic lid from a tub of butter with an X cut into the center becomes an impromptu ponytail holder. The same plastic lid and the same X slid onto the handle of a paint brush becomes a shield to catch accidental paint drippings that can cause havoc.
• Rim down and placed over a drain makes a plastic lid a sink stopper.
• Be on the lookout for those lids that will be a perfect fit on a magnifier, binoculars or camera lenses. I really like this idea. I'm on the hunt.
• Plastic lids can be cut and used as stencils. Hey, haven't we heard that a potato... no wait, I'm thinking about a raw potato used as a stamp. Never mind. But this is a good one to remember.

Image by Pixabay

Wading pools are not just for keeping cool in the summer, but for looking cool too. Obviously, just look at him. So cool. Even though the price was right when I saw wading pools on clearance a couple of months a go. I could not figure out where to store my bargains until next summer, so no deal. Until now. I might even  buy a wading pool at full price when summer gets here

During the summer months fill with fresh cold water from the hose for your feet. Toddlers will love to swim in them and when your back is turned so will the birds. Filled with ice, they make a great cooler for drinks at your next party. Or corral toys and other yard stuff laying about.

Here's where my mind is blown. A new approach. I missed it plain and simple. An easy fix to my problem, couldn't see it. Completely missed it. I think two or three wading pools would be fun and functional in the summer.

During the winter months wading pools become storage containers for what ever fits into them leaving enough clearance to slide easily under a bed. Out of sight. This is a personal favorite of mine. Wading pools can be used in several different ways all year long, useful multiplied. Fairly inexpensive and available for purchase just about anywhere during the summer, easily done.

I think I have seen quite a few wading pools thrown away at the end of summer, either in a dumpster or setting beside the road for trash pick up. You betcha I'll be watching out for them now. And when buying a new one probably gonna consider how sturdy and dimensions.
Wading pools could be super useful for those long tubes of wrapping paper. And what a great organizer. Portable and stocked with everything needed on Christmas morning for Santa's helpers.

Tag you're it. Leave a note. Thanks

Resources:
Images from Pixabay.com
1991 Reader's Digest's Practical Problem Solver 

Microwave Cooking 101

When I came into this world a microwave could be found in just about every kitchen and was used practically every day. I don't recall being taught anything about them, and I'm quite sure not one household was using them to their full potential. I was an adult before I realized that the microwave could be used for something other than re-heating left overs or making popcorn. How about you?

• I was stunned to find out an entire meal could be cooked in a microwave. 
• Thawing frozen foods is a snap and saves enormous amounts of time in a microwave. 
• Did you know how food is arranged in the microwave has everything to do with how the food cooks and for how long? 
• The size and shape of the container used also plays a major role in the outcome of the dish.

So without further ado, let's begin.

Adapting A Recipe

• Cooking time will be around 25% of conventional cooking time when adapting a recipe to cook in microwave. 
• You will need to experiment and adjust the power setting according to your preference. 
• Pay attention not to overcook. 

Arrangement

• When cooking more than one item at the same time, arrange the food items in a circular fashion. 
• Potatoes should be arranged in a ring. 
• Corn on the cob gets arranged like the spokes on a wheel. 
• Chicken pieces, pork chops and other meats with bones should be placed so that the bony parts are in the center and thick parts go to the outside.
• When re-heating leftovers remember denser foods are placed at the outer edge and more porous foods like rolls or fluffy rice get placed in the center of the plate.

Browning

• Meat and poultry brown after about ten minutes. 
• A special microwave browning dish or grill is  usually available for meats that cook too quickly for browning like, hamburger, pork chops or steak.
• You an also create a browned look by brushing on a gravy mix or bottled brown bouquet.
• Cakes, breads and pie shells don't brown well. Not so important with chocolate or spice cakes. 
• For others, molasses or dark syrups may be brushed on. 
• Glaze or a frosting might work as well.

Selecting Container

• When a particular size or shape is specified in a recipe, use it for best results.
• Generally a tall narrow container increases cooking time.
• A broad shallow container reduces cooking time. 
• Recipes for puddings and sauces call for large containers to prevent boil overs.
• Cakes and some loaf recipes call for round cookware to provide more even cooking.

Coverings

• Covers trap steam, speed cooking time and help foods retain their natural moisture. 
• Suitable coverings are micro-proof casserole tops, glass covers, plastic wrap, waxed paper, micro-proof plates and saucers. 
• Paper towels are useful to prevent splatters but do not rap steam.
• Always remove coverings away from hands and face to prevent a burn from the steam.

Size Doesn't Matter

• In this case anyway, it's more about the density. 
• A slice of bread has low density and more air.
• A slice of meat the same size has high density and less air.
• Even though they are basically the same size, the slice of meat takes a lot longer to reheat than the slice of bread because there is less air or more density.

Defrosting

• Large items should be turned and rotated halfway through defrosting time to provide more even thawing.
• Foods in approved coverings thaw more quickly.
• Remove thawed portions of ground meat as soon as thawed. Return frozen portions back to the microwave to finish thawing.
• To thaw half of a frozen veggie package, wrap half of the package with foil. When the unwrapped side is thawed, place the foil covered side after separating with knife or scissors back into the freezer for next time.
• Thin or sliced items should be separated as soon as possible. Remove thawed pieces and allow other slices to continue thawing.
• Poultry wings, legs and small or the bone ends of meat might need to be covered with foil strips for most of the thawing time to prevent cooking. 

Bonus Tip  - The microwave can bring chips back to life if they get stale. Place a plateful of chips and microwave. Check them every 30 seconds or so for warmth and crispness. Works great!

 

Pop quiz next time! Don't forget to study!

Extra credit for sharing one of your favorite microwave tips and/or recipes in a comment!

Guide For Picking the Ripest Juiciest Best Fruit

Bananas  should be slightly under ripe. You are looking for bright yellow, no bruising and slightly green on the stem end. Do not put in the refrigerator.


Plums and Peaches are good for about five days in the fridge. When you first bite into it and the juice is the perfect sweetness. Pick fruits that have a rich color. A solid soft (my words) when you hold it. You want your fruit to be firm but not hard to the touch. No mushy, no shriveled, no bruising, no cuts and no brown spots.

Apples should have no bruises or cuts. A firm or hard feel in your hand. Look for bright colors. Refrigeration not required unless they are cut up. To decrease the browning, squeeze lemon juice all over.

Pineapples are best stored at 70 degrees away form sunlight. They will not ripen any further. Smell the pineapple's butt (stem end for those with no sense of humor). A sweet fragrance detected means you hit the jackpot. But if there is no smell or a fermented one, steer clear. Opt for a small compact crown with rich green leaves. Pineapples are usually available all year round, but March is when you will find the sweetest. Once cut up refrigeration will be required but they will deteriorate quickly.

Grapes need to get into the refrigerator as soon as possible. Do not wash them, just leave them in the bag they were purchased in..Wash them under cold water when you are ready to eat them. In the store make sure the bunch has all over even color. They should be plump and firmly attached to a flexible stem.

Oranges are firm and heavy with finely textured skin. There are several different kinds and they can be refrigerated for two weeks. Naval oranges are good for eating and most popular. Roll your orange in a circular motion on the table or counter right before peeling. Pulp gets juicier and peeling will be easier.

Watermelon is a big favorite of mine. Going in blind has produced some real stinkers in the past. Not anymore. I picked out the sweetest, most best, delicious watermelon the other night at the store. Use these tips like I did and you will fall in love with watermelon all over again.

• White streaks on the melon indicate a less sweet fruit.
• A deep thump will be heard if you gently knock on the outside rind.
• The surface should be firm and smooth.
• On the underside is the yellowish or cream white area that touch the ground. A bigger area means the watermelon was not picked until fully ripe at maximum sweetness. 
• Inside should be bright red, firm and juicy with mostly black seeds.
• Stem should be shriveled and ready to fall off. 
• I find I have the most luck picking one that is medium sized and oblong shape.

Nectarines are orange, yellow and red at their best. Store at room temp until they soften and ripen. After that store in the refrigerator for no more than five days.

Cantaloupes are ripe with yellowish, thick coarse veining. Avoid a surface that is too soft. A sweet fragrance should be noticeable. Check the blossom end is indented and slightly soft to pressure. 

Honeydews are the best with a creamy white or yellowish white smooth skin. A sweet fragrance will be found also. Surface should not be too soft. 

There you have it. Please let me know about the ones I have left out.

5 Simple Make-Up Tricks For Full Lips So Easy Works For Everyone

1. Add some sugar to the cleanser you use on your face for a d-i-y lip scrub. Scrubbing lips in a circle pattern, not too hard, makes them smooth and stimulate puff.
2. Choose glossy over matte every time when it comes to lip color.
3. With a white, shimmery liner pencil outline just above the V of the cupid's bow. You will love the overflowing effect this gives to you lips. 
4. Line the length of the top lip line only with a nude pencil. This will make it disappear and give an appearance your lip goes on and on. And then fill in entire lips with the nude or a soft pink colored lip pencil.
5. Lighter colors reflect light and creates depth. Darker shades define a border

D-I-Y body scrub is created by mixing 2 parts baby oil with 1 part sugar.

*Did you know taking B vitamins strengthens fingernails.*

D-I-Y dandruff rinse can be made by mixing 1 part mouthwash with 9 parts water. 

Apply to scalp and leave on.

Not just a nail polish anymore. 

• It's a sealant to keep important information like directions from getting water damaged.
• Prevents rust from forming when applied to the bottom rim of metal cans stored around water.
• Mend a small tear in fabric screen. Even a small tear will give those pesky bugs a way in.
• Here's a cute idea that deserves repeating. Seal envelopes for party invitations, use party color.
• Chips or nicks easily disguised with the right color applied.
• Clear polish will create a barrier between jewelry metal and skin 

22 Tips For Garage Sale Success

• Nothing should be priced under $1. Small items can be grouped together in a baggie for $1. The see through grab bags always catch my eye at the thrift stores. If I spot at least one "gotta have" item in the bag plus all that other stuff, I am a buyer. Taking small change out of the equation as much as possible makes so much sense. 
• No discounts before noon. Having clear boundaries keeps things running smoothly during the sale. A schedule for markdowns is a good idea. $1 is much easier to markdown than 25 cents. Advertise the markdown schedule too.
• Think about the questions you know the shoppers will ask and have responses ready. Can we use your restroom? Bulk sales? Discount? 

• Keep items organized as the sale goes on. 
• Play music only during the slow times. 
• Two people should be manning the sale at all time.
• Keep the peace. Don't argue in front of your shoppers. If everyone wore the same color during the sale, they would be easier to find when it gets busy. 
• All clothes should be hung up for easy access.
• Nothing on the ground. Only a few exceptions.
• Books stacked where the title on the spine is visible. I have put the books in smaller boxes, so they won't be so heavy once full, with spine up and found this useful.
• Make sure everything is priced. The bigger the item, the bigger the size of the price tag should be. Prices should be visible. People do not want to hunt for a price.
• Keep running totals for each seller involved.
• Keep an assortment of change on hand at all times. You don't want to risk losing a sale because you don't have change.

• Expenses should be divided evenly among all sellers.
• Have plenty of bags, boxes and packing for purchases. Helps to start gathering these way before the sale is set to begin. 

• Always have a table or box full of free items.
• Group like items together and have a sign for the grouping.
• Put decent sale signs with arrows on every possible corner in your neighborhood. Main roads with lots of traffic are great assets for your sale. Don't underestimate their power. Bright pink or white is more noticeable.
• Brainstorm about ways to make money during the sale. For example: drinks, baked goods, or plant starts.
• Advertise your sale on line. Don't forget the pictures. Gsalr.com, yardsales.net, yardsalesearch.com, garagesalefinder.com, garagesaletracker.com, craigslist.com. This is just a few places that come to mind.
• Tell your neighbors you plan on having a sale. Give them enough time to put out a sale of their own. The more sales in the same area will attract shoppers.
• Have a plan in place for left overs. Donate to thrift stores. Giveaway?. Throw away? You will be tired after making all that money, having a plan will make closing the sale stress free.

I found a great widget on the gsalr.com website. It's free and available for anyone to place on their website. Mine is displaying a map with the local sales in Springfield Missouri. 

Leave a comment and tell us your garage sale success stories. Love to hear from you!

5 Hot Tips 8 Sexy Shortcuts 4 Freaking FYI's

Freaking FYI's

• Research says almost all of us decide whether someone is trustworthy based simply on their appearance. I think it is important to note appearance does not only mean how they are dressed. Some will take advantage of this naive attitude and manipulate words to make it "appear" that they are on your side. We probably should re-think how we judge others on appearance alone, for our own good and theirs. Left unchecked, rules get broken because appearance isn't everything like some think.
• They say drinking apple juice before going to sleep causes vivid dreams. I was hoping someone out there could try this for me. Apple juice has never been my thing but change could happen. Please someone try this and report back in a comment or email or whatever. Please!
  
• This is for those folks brave enough to trust (there's that word again, sign?) they will remember to cancel the "free trial" before they are charged. But have you ever thought about changing the date in your computer system and extending the life of the free trial, just an idea.
  
• Radiation from your cell phone is dramatically increased when the battery is low.
  

Hot Tips

• Stop coughing by raising arms above head.
• I have heard that a banana peel rubbed on a mosquito bite will stop the itching.
• When marinading chicken or beef use a sandwich bag. Shaking it up will keep the marinade evenly distributed. Easy clean up. Toss the bag when time to cook.
• Sandwich bags work well for storing all kinds of things, even baby wipes. Make your own baby wipes by mixing 1 tablespoon antibacterial liquid soap, 1 tablespoon baby oil and 1/3 cup water. Cut paper towels in half, fold and place into the bag with you mixture means you never have to go without.
• Attract butterflies to your yard with decaying fruit. They love the sweet taste. The more colorful the better.
  

Sexy Shortcuts

• Close pores on face with an ice cube to prevent breakouts.
• A lemon wedge applied to a self-tanning streak will lighten it up.
• Add a teaspoon of baking soda to boiling eggs and the shells will come off easier.
• Someone told me that eating a mango before smoking pot will enhance the high.
• Run for 3 hours to lose 1 pound of fat. Run for 27 minutes a day lose 1 pound per week.
• Hold your breath until you can't anymore and exhale slowly. This will increase your heart rate and get rid of that sleepy feeling.
• Check your health care insurance policy for gym membership reimbursement.
• Ward off mosquitoes and biting flies in the summer months by taking B complex vitamin.

Bonus

• Attract luck by wearing forest green.
• Command respect by wearing navy blue.
• Win an argument by wearing pastel pink.
• Feel empowered by wearing the color purple.
• Comfort someone by wearing powder blue.
• Boosts everyone's mood by wearing citrus colors.
• Rev up a relationship by wearing red.

Resources: My Notes, Here and There

Lighten Up With LED Save $

LED light bulbs have come down in price since they first were introduced. As much as 90% some say. It's a proven fact they use much less, 80 to 90 % less, electricity than their predecessor. There is no longer any reason to keep from switching from the incandescent bulb to the LED bulb. If it's the unfamiliar terms keeping you from being confident your making the right choice. Let me shed some,"light" on the subject for you.


Replacement wattage is the wattage of the bulb that you are replacing.

Wattage is the actual amount of electricity the new LED bulb is using. The range of use is usually 8 - 20 watts for a typical LED bulb.

Lumens is the measure of brightness. The more lumens per watts the better. More brightness for less money is the way to go.

Kelvins are represented by a "K" and is the unit of measure for the CCT (correlated color temperature). Living rooms and bedrooms use a "warm" or "soft white" tone (3000 K and below). For a bathroom look for "cool" to describe the most efficient bulb (3100 K - 4500 K) Workshops and outside are the place to put a "daylight" tone LED bulb (4600 K and up).

The word "Dimmable" is added to the packaging if the LED bulb inside works with a dimmer switch.

Guess who is selling LED light bulbs for just one dollar. I don't mean the Dollar General or the Family Dollar. Some people call these two stores, dollar stores. But they are not. True dollar stores are the ones that sell everything for only one dollar. Love, love, love the dollar stores. Don''t you?

Now you know. Get out there and save some money.

8 Shortcuts To Save Time Cleaning Up

1. Line the bottom of a garbage can with newspaper to catch any leaking from the plastic bag and this will help with any odors too.
2. Another shortcut for that garbage can is to layer with bags, 5 or 6 should work.  Make sure to push air out before adding the next one.  This at least will keep you from putting a new bag in constantly.
3. In the microwave you might consider laying down several paper towels.  Any amount will do.  If there are any spills while cooking, all you do is pick up the top towel and leave the rest.  Makes clean up almost obsolete.
4. Covering dishes of food put in a microwave to cook is a great idea to save on clean up time.  Any microwave safe dish will work, for example a plate will work or a large bowl. 
5. You are probably use to laying down some newspaper to protect your work surface when painting a small object.  Try wax paper instead.  Your object will not stick to it.  No more messy stuck on paint to clean up. 
6. Does it seem to you that your cleaning rags are not doing their job when it comes to cleaning up a liquid spill.  Try to avoid using fabric softener on them when you are doing the laundry.  The fabric softener creates a barrier, making it hard for the cloth to soak up liquids. 
7. The best time to vacuum your carpet and rugs is when it is raining or humid outside.  This will keep the dust from resettling on your carpet or flying around in the air. 
8. A better way then soaking them in a bucket with a cleaner of some sort, that you will probably have to scrub one by one anyway.  And then there is the drying part.  I am talking about all those little toys and pieces and parts of toys.  If you want to get those little suckers clean quickly and easily.  The mesh laundry bags are perfect.  Just put those little suckers in the bag, close it up and throw it in the washing machine, with a lil' bit of laundry soap.  Probably would work in the dish washer too.

     It just wouldn't be the same if I didn't have a couple of links for you to check out.  You are really going to love these two.  I have bookmarked them both for myself to explore later, and I bet you will want to do the same.  You'll see.  Trust me.

Miracle Cleaner. Only two common ingredients. This is genius!  Click the link, you won't be sorry.  One Good Thing by Jillee is the name of her website.  It's way more than one, I promise you that. 

MarytheKaytheBlog 

"How to have an easy but wildly successful garage sale" and that's the title of the first, but certainly not the last post I will be reading on this blog.  The author has an entertaining way of presenting her ideas.  Very good ideas, too.  Even if you are not planning a garage sale you must check it out.

13 Other Uses For Ice Cubes

Ice cubes can be a pain reliever, a cook's helper and fix things around the house.  Would I lie to you?  Of course not.  Read on!

• Have your child suck on an ice cube before giving them liquid medicine.  The ice cube will numb the taste buds and allow the medicine to go down.  No spoonful of sugar required.
• Splinter removal will go much smoother for you and your child if you use an ice cube to numb the area first.
• A burn will not blister if you rub an ice cube on the burn area.  Will help numb the pain, too.
• Make your homemade salad dressing smooth and creamy as store-bought.  Put all the ingredients in a jar with a lid, then add an ice cube.  Lid intact, shake vigorously.  Remove the ice cube and serve.
• Put an ice cube on top of the rice when reheating in the microwave.  The ice cube will melt as the rice reheats.  No more dried out rice.
• Fill a metal ladle with ice cubes and skim the bottom of the ladle over the top of the soup or stew you are cooking.  The fat will collect on the ladle.
• Moving furniture around will go a long way refreshing a room but what about those dents left behind where the furniture once was.  Place an ice cube in the dent and let melt.  Then just brush up the dent. It's that easy.
• Applying a line of caulk to look as smooth as a professional job is a piece of cake with the help of an ice cube.  The caulk will not stick to the ice cube when you run it down the caulk line.
• Hard to reach hanging plants still need to be watered.  Toss several ice cubes into the pots.  The ice melts, plants get watered and the down pour from the drainage hole is avoided.
• Rub an ice cube on the gum that got stuck on a pillow case, or your child's pants or in the family pet's hair.  The gum will harden and be easier to remove.
  
• Speaking of pets... dropping a few ice cubes in their drinking water will be a refreshing treat.
• You need those wrinkles out of that shirt and quickly too.  Wrap an ice cube in a soft cloth, rub over the wrinkle before you iron and the shirt will smooth out. 
• If your garbage disposal is clogged with grease.  Run some ice cubes through it because the grease will stick to the ice and possible unclog it.

Bonus Tip:  Have you ever wondered how they produce crystal clear ice cubes?  Here's one way.  Boil distilled water before filling ice trays.  The air in the water is what causes the cloudiness.