Saturday, July 31, 2010

WEEKEND WONDERS - Cucumbers

I just learned a lot of uses for cucumbers! If you have some of your own, please add them to the comments! :)
1. Feeling tired in the afternoon? Put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

2. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

3. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

4. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

5. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

6. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

7. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

8. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

9. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

10. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.

11. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!

Thursday, July 22, 2010

MAKE MINE VINTAGE!

I'm having fun shopping with the OFG Team gals, looking at their vintage items! Here's just a few of the treasures I've found.
I love this old watering can offered by primcountrycreations!

SweetLibertyPrims has added the perfect touch to make these old egg beaters a super addition to the primitive home!

Just have to show off the vintage linens I have listed in my RagBagTreasures store, perfect for the shabby chic home!

Wow, this sure brings back memories!
This old gym basket is brought to us by SugarMtnMercantile.

Great old street sign from KittredgeMercantile!

WOW! The OFG Team gals have about 5,000 items for sale on Etsy! Take some time and visit when you can, you'll be glad you did!!!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

FROM THE LOFT

Here's some photos from here at the "Loft" to enjoy.
The birds really like my garage sale find birdfeeder I just hung on the bell recently. The hummingbirds have been enjoying the red flowers, too!

I love coneflowers!

The tigerlilies are in full bloom & looking gorgeous!

Saturday, July 17, 2010

WEEKEND WONDERS (a/k/a Helpful Hints)

It's just turned Saturday morning, and I'm right on schedule getting my helpful hint posted early this weekend!
TALCUM POWDER - This is my personal favorite in the summer to use all over to help get dressed (dry the skin so garments don't stick) & feel good after a shower! :) But here's another use.
Talcum power is a good aid in stain removal. Remove as much of the stain as possible by blotting with a clean cloth. Apply talcum powder and let it sit until the powder becomes discolored by absorbing the stain (about 10 minutes). Wipe off with a clean cloth. Repeat if necessary.

VEGETABLE OIL - While this has been my standard for sticker removal on glass for years (but don't forget that peanut butter works, too), I found that you can also use it with very fine grade steel wool. Dip the steel wool into the oil, gently rub off the rust adhering to old cutlery and metal hardware.
Of course, it does make some good fried chicken, too! Here's a link to a recipe, just in case you need one, from Wesson Oil. It's easy to make & yummy, too! Of course, one must not worry about calories in order to enjoy!!!
I'm sure you gals must have more ideas for practical uses for these items, so please share them with us! Looking forward to seeing what you are going to share.


Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Seriously in Destashing Need

I don't know about you, but I've realized that I've accumulated way too much "STASH" and am working on this problem. It's so easy to let the stash build up, it creeps up on you like a bad dream. You innocently purchase this and that with all the good intentions in the world. As for me, I get on these moments of, "Oh, oh, I've just gotta try making this" and buy all the stuff, then I find another important project to invest money into before I even get the first one accomplished! *Sigh* Then there's the projects I actually DID do, but kept buying and buying and my stash exceeded my enthusiasm. Of course, there's the "bargains" you find at times and cannot resist, so you buy 2 or 3 when you only needed 1, thinking your family or friends may be interested, too. After all, it was such a great deal!!! Yes, the stash grows like weeds sometimes! 

What kind of experience do you have with stash? How do you keep it under control? Do you have any hard and fast rules about how long to keep the good stuff before parting company? I'd be interested in hearing ideas on how to better manage this problem that I believe most of us crafters find a struggle. Please feel free to leave a comment here, or contact me with your ideas and I'll pull together some of the ideas for another post one day.

So, for now, I'm starting to list my STASH for sale on Etsy. So, keep checking out my listings almost daily as I'll keep adding!

Here's a few of my current offerings.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/51415889/whispers-mini-alphabet-and-numbers-wood









Saturday, July 10, 2010

HELPFUL HINT WEEKEND THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT

I've used vegetable oil for sticker removal for years, but I've recently read that peanut butter is also good for this. Makes sense, there is oil in there! It works well on glass, copper & brass. Just rub a little on the area & wipe off!
Sunday Update: Especially for moms, someone just told me that peanut butter gets gum out of hair. Beats the scissors alternative!
Of course, the best hint I can give is to eat it! :)

Now here's a recipe (from the Jif website) unlike any I've ever seen for peanut butter. Sounds yummy!
If you try this recipe, please come back & post on the comments how you like it! My hubby has acid reflux pretty bad right now and I cannot make it until he's better.

PEANUT BUTTER TACO SALAD
Ingredients:
• 1 pound lean ground beef OR 1 poundlean ground turkey
• 1/4 cup Jif® Creamy Peanut Butter
• 1 (1.25 oz.) package taco seasoning mix
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 head iceburg lettuce, chopped (about 8 cups) plus additional for garnish
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped plus 1 medium tomato cut into wedges for garnish
• 6 green onions, sliced
• 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup mild salsa
• 1/2 cup French salad dressing
• 2 cups crushed tortilla chips
• 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• Avocado slices (optional)
• Sour cream
Directions:
BROWN ground beef in medium skillet on medium-high heat until cooked through. Drain. Stir in peanut butter, taco seasoning mix and water until blended. Cook and stir 5 minutes.
COMBINE lettuce, chopped tomatoes, onion and beans in large serving bowl. Stir salsa and dressing in small bowl until blended. Pour over lettuce. Toss until evenly coated.
SPRINKLE 1 cup crushed tortilla chips on top of lettuce. Spoon meat mixture on layer of chips, then top with cheese. Sprinkle remaining chips around edge of bowl. Garnish center with additional chopped lettuce, tomato wedges, avocado slices and sour cream. Serve immediately.
Yield: 4 to 6 servings