Clever Ways to Use Vinegar

1. Kill weeds. Spray full-strength on growth until weeds have starved.

2. Kill unwanted grass on walks and driveways.

3. Increase soil acidity. Use 1/2 cup of vinegar in 1 gallon of tap water for watering plants such as rhododendrons, gardenias, or azaleas.

4. Deter ants. Spray vinegar around doors, appliances, and along other areas where ants are.

5. Polish car chrome. Apply full-strength.

6. Remove skunk odour from a dog. Rub fur with full-strength vinegar and rinse.

7. Keep cats away. Sprinkle vinegar on areas you don't want the cat walking, sleeping, or scratching.

8. Keep dogs from scratching their ears. Use a clean, soft cloth dipped in vinegar diluted with water.

9. Floor cleaner. Mix 1 cup white vinegar with 2 gallons hot water.

10. Freshen wilted vegetables. Soak them in 2 cups of water and a tablespoon of vinegar.

11. Soothe a bee or jellyfish sting. Dot the irritation with vinegar to relieve itching.

12. Relieve sunburn . Lightly rub on white vinegar. You may have to reapply.

13. Condition hair. Add a tablespoon of vinegar to dissolve sticky residue left by shampoo.

14. Relieve dry and itchy skin. Add 2 tablespoons to bath water.

15. Fight dandruff. Mix 2 tablespoons each apple cider vinegar, water and flax or olive oil and massage into scalp, shampooing out after 15-20 minutes.

16. Soothe a sore throat. Pour a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water. Gargle, then swallow.

17. Treat sinus infections and chest colds. Add 1/4 cup or more of vinegar to a vaporizer.

18. Deodorize the kitchen drain. Pour a cup down the drain once a week. Let stand 30 minutes and then flush with cold water.

19. Eliminate onion odours. Rub on your fingers before and after slicing.

20. Clean and disinfect wood cutting boards. Wipe with full-strength vinegar.

21. Remove fruit stains from hands. Rub with vinegar.

22. Cut grease and odour on dishes. Add a tablespoon of vinegar to hot soapy water.

23. Clean a teapot. Boil a mixture of water and vinegar in the teapot. Wipe away the grime.

24. Freshen a lunchbox. Soak a piece of bread in vinegar and let it sit in the lunchbox overnight.

25. Clean the refrigerator. Wash with a solution of equal parts water and vinegar.

26. Unclog a drain. Pour a handful of baking soda down the drain, add 1/2 cup of vinegar, and close with plug for 20 seconds. Rinse with hot water.

27. Clean and deodorize jars. Rinse mayonnaise, peanut butter, and mustard jars with vinegar when empty.

28. Clean the dishwasher. Run a cup of vinegar through the whole cycle once a month to reduce soap buildup on the inner mechanisms and on glassware.

29. Clean stainless steel. Wipe with a vinegar-dampened cloth.

30. Remove stains from pots. Fill the pot with a solution of 3 tablespoons of vinegar to a pint of water. Boil until stain loosens and can be washed away.

31. Clean the microwave. Boil a solution of 1/4 cup vinegar and 1 cup of water in the microwave. Will loosen food particles from microwave walls and deodorize.

32. Dissolve rust from bolts and other metals. Soak in full-strength vinegar.

33. Eliminate cooking smells. Let simmer a small pot of vinegar and water solution.

34. Unclog steam iron. Pour equal amounts of vinegar and water into the iron's water chamber. Turn to steam and leave the iron on for 5 minutes in an upright position. Then unplug and allow to cool. Any loose particles should come out when you empty the water.

35. Clean a scorched iron plate. Heat equal parts vinegar and salt in a small pan. Rub solution on the cooled iron surface to remove dark or burned stains.

36. Remove lint from clothes. Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle of the washing machine. This also helps to brighten fabric colours.

37. Freshen the washing machine. Pour 1 cup of vinegar in the machine and let it run through a regular cycle (no clothes added). Will dissolve soap residue.

38. Remove tough stains. Gently rub vinegar on the stains before placing in the washing machine.

39. Eliminate smoke odours from clothes. Add 1 cup of vinegar to a bathtub of hot water. Hang clothes above the steam.

40. Remove decals. Brush with a couple of coats of vinegar and allow to soak in before washing off.

41. Clean eyeglasses. Wipe each lens with a drop of vinegar.

42. Freshen cut flowers. Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 1 teaspoon of sugar for each litre of water.

43. Extinguish fires. Throw on grease fires to arrest flames.

44. Feel good. A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water, with a bit of sweetener added for flavour, will give you an overall healthy feeling.

Original post: http://www.canadianliving.com/life/green_living/44_things_to_do_with_vinegar.php

Healthier Puppy Chow - Christmas Treat :)

I found this off of www.undressedskeleton.tumblr.com/SnackitySnacks which by the way has lots of great snack ideas! But I am quite in love with Puppy Chow... it's by far my favorite Christmas treat that I look forward to every year. However, this is EVEN BETTER because it's healthy(er), haha! I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did!!

Calories- 100 Total Carbs- 18 Fat -2g Fiber-5g Protein- 2

Makes 4 Servings

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups Fiber one Honey Squares
• 4 Tablespoons “I can’t believe it’s not butter”
• 2 Tablespoons Creamy All Natural Peanut Butter
• 2 Servings Truvia all Natural Sweetener.
• 1 Package of Fat Free Sugar Free Vanilla Pudding Mix
• 2 Squares of Reduced Fat Chocolate Almond Bark

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl melt butter, chocolate almond bark and  peanut butter. (I used the microwave)
2. After melted pour cereal into mixture. Stir gently
3. Let the mixture cool for a good 20 minutes.
4. After mixture has hardened pour the mix into a large zip lock bag, add the box of pudding mix and shake gently until coated.

A Party Platter You'll Love!

Ok people, this is such a cool idea and SO EASY to make!! My sister actually gave me this idea... I'm not sure if she saw it done before or if she made it up herself, but regardless this is fabulous and all your friends and family will be impressed! I even made one for my mom for Christmas this year because she has guest over a lot (shhh don't tell her!).

Here's what you need: 

1 small plate or small bowl

1 medium plate

1 large plate

2 cups of your choice

E-6000 glue or a glue similar to this

I used glass cups like these because in my opinion they look the best for this type of thing but you might find something even better! Oh, and did I mention that I got each plate and each cup for $0.10 each at my local thrift store!? Just 10 CENTS PEOPLE!! :) :) :)

If you really feel like getting creative you can put something in the glasses like marbles, pretty rocks, ribbon, you name it! 

First, take your largest plate and place a cup (I used the larger of my two cups) in the center of the plate like this

Once it's centered and you have determined exactly where it's supposed to go on the plate glue it on the plate.

Then, add your medium plate.... make sure the cup underneath is centered!! :)

Note: You might want to set the whole thing up first to determine where it is centered on each plate and then lightly trace with a pencil where your cup is supposed to go on the bottom and top of the plates. I had to do this on my first couple of ones until I got the hang of it.

Then of course add your next cup on top of the medium plate and glue it on as well.

Lastly, add your last plate (in my case a bowl) which of course is your small one. Make sure it's centered and then glue it on. 

Here's what it should look like in the end. 

I used a bowl on top so that I can put dip in it and serve chips and crackers on the two plates. Get creative and do what you like best! :)

The best part about this is you can choose your favorite color plates and glasses at your local thrift store, walmart, target, etc.! 

If you guys make one don't hesitate to post a picture of it, I'd love to see your creativeness! And I'd love to hear your testimonials on how you liked it!! 

And of course, remember to have fun while making it :) 

Have a grand day!

Cheers!

Knitted Ear Warmers - cuteness! :)

So this is the first thing I've ever knitted and I have got to say, I think I may be addicted to knitting now! It was SO easy, ya'll!! Give it a try... you'll fall in love with it's simplicity and uniqueness! You get to make anything your little heart desires :)

Here are two links to youtube videos that taught me how to knit:
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9hv44QwQ-A
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgwi3xgZzlk&feature=related

After watching those two videos I got all inspired and went to my local thrift store and bough multiple different sized needles for just 25cents, bargain? Yes! Luckily for me my thrift store has a craft section for used materials, I also bought about 20 balls of yarn for $2 (granted they weren't full sized yard they were smaller balls of yarn since they had been used) regardless, I got all sorts of different colors and I plan on making so many cute things out of them. As you can see, I first made my ear warmer and then I sewed on elastic to the ends to complete the circle and so that it would stay nice and snug on my head without sliding off. Easy peasy! Give it a whirl and tell me how yours turned out! :) If you need help or have questions don't hesitate to ask!

My Husband, Brian

So I know this has nothing to do with homemade items but I saw this on facebook and just had to share it because it is so true. My husband definitely treats me like a princess and he was definitely raised by a queen :)
I love my sweet hubby :)

Spaghetti Casserole

Scooter’s Spaghetti

Recipe type: Entree

Author: Scooter

Prep time: 20 mins

Cook time: 35 mins

Total time: 55 mins

Serves: 10

Layered spaghetti casserole topped with french fried onions. A family favorite!

Ingredients

• 8 ounces uncooked spaghetti
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 large can spaghetti sauce (26.5 ounces)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup chopped green peppers (I usually omit or substitute red peppers)
• 1/3 cup chopped onions
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons milk
• Fresh grated Parmesan cheese
• French Fried Onions (small can)

Directions

1. Cook spaghetti according to directions on the package. Cook to al dente, drain and set aside.
2. Brown ground beef. Drain excess grease. Add spaghetti sauce to skillet and heat.
3. Combine onions, peppers and butter in small glass bowl. Cover and microwave 4 minutes on HIGH until soft.
4. Add cream cheese and milk to vegetables and stir well.
5. Using a 10 x 6 dish, assemble in the following order:
6. Thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the casserole dish.
7. Spaghetti
8. Cream cheese/vegetable mixture
9. Spaghetti sauce
10. Parmesan Cheese (amount subject to your own taste)
11. French Fried Onions (added during last 5 minutes of cooking)
12. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Top with French Fried onion and continue baking 5 more minutes. (This is the secret ingredient–don’t let them burn.)

Notes

Make this ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze without the French Fried onions. Don’t forget to add them 5 minutes before casserole is finished cooking.

Found at: http://www.salad-in-a-jar.com/family-recipes/scooters-spaghetti

Homemade Chalk Paint

Yesterday I showed you how to made sidewalk chalk paint... well today I found a way to make regular chalk paint to paint your walls with for kids! This clever craft only requires 2 ingredients!

Paint (any color or type that you want)
Non-Sanded Tile Grout

For every 1 cup of paint use 2 tablespoons of grout. Mix and paint :)

You can find the non-sanded tile grout at any home hardware store (Home Depot, Lowes, etc.). Have fun!!

Thanks http://www.theidearoom.net/2010/09/make-chalk-rocks-and-homemade-chalk.html for the clever craft!

Wooden Picture Decoration

For this glorious project all you need is:

gel medium (which can be found in the paint section at any craft store and probably walmart too)
block of wood
mod podge
picture on a regular piece of typing paper (printed from your computer is fine)
wet cloth for rubbing off residue
paint brush

Here is a youtube link that's only about 2 minutes long showing you how to do it for you visual people :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NjYbAAQ4vw

Take the block of wood and put gel medium on it with a paint brush. Then, place your picture face down onto the block of wood and let it sit over night. The next day, use the damp cloth and your fingers to rub away the paper. Once all the paper is off use a paint brush to apply mod podge all over the picture. Let it dry. Then YOU'RE DONE! :) Enjoy!

Here's a picture of one that someone did that I found on www.readymade.com