posted May 20, 2003 01:25 AM           

I'm not sure if I read it here or somewhere else but I had a major ant invasion this summer and I didn't know what to do!!! They got into everything the little rascals. Anyway, I read somewhere that Cloves repel ants. I have tried and tested this method and it works!!! I sprinkled cloves in the problem areas and I stuck some food scraps under the house (where they were coming from) so they didn't have to travel far to find food!! and the cloves don't hurt them!!

posted May 20, 2003 06:55 PM         

More organic non-lethal solutions.

posted May 21, 2003 01:19 AM         

I found that plain vinegar works fine as a rinse agent in your dishwasher and is less expensive than the name brand type. Just pour some into the compartment you would a rinse agent, once a month.

I make my own breadcrumbs. When I have just a few slices left from a loaf or two that no-one is going to eat anyway, I place them on a cookie sheet and into the oven at about 250 to 300 degrees (depending on how many slices) for 20 to 30 min. again depending on how brown I want them. When they are dry and hard I place them in the food processer and "pulse" to the consistency desired, then store in a plastic container like Tupperware, etc. To me it's worth the little extra time and effort because I'm saving money, and using different types of breads results in different flavored crumbs...makes whatever dish they're being used in taste better, I think. (I would imagine this works with crackers and pretzels too, though I haven't done it).

Recently I heard that salting the water you boil eggs in will make peeling them easier. I tried it and it works.

posted May 21, 2003 01:42 AM         

My faves...

If you've let your clothes sit too long in the dryer after it stops (like 2 days or so, or am I the only one who does that) and they are too wrinkly, just wet a face cloth and toss it in with them and turn it on for 15 minutes or so. The wrinkles will pretty much disappear.

posted May 21, 2003 02:02 AM           

I'll try and think of some more....

Twin lady: I use vinegar to clean my windows..and newspaper. Newspaper ensure a strek free finish. I also clean the glass on my wood-fire door and my car windows as well! Now it will be added to the dishwasher as a rinsing agent

posted May 21, 2003 10:50 PM         

On a humorous note:

Subject: Martha Stewart vs. Real Women

True............true..............

Martha Stewart says.....
If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it's
still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it will
absorb the excess salt for an instant "fix me up."

Real Women
If you over-salt a dish while you are cooking, that's
too bad. Please recite with me, The Real Women's
motto: "I made it and you will eat it and I don't care
how bad it tastes."

Martha Stewart
Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half and
rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.

Real Women
Take a lime, mix it with tequila, etc., chill and
drink. You might still have the headache, but who
cares?

Martha Stewart
Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a
sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.

Real Women
Just suck the ice cream out of the bottom of the
cone, for Pete's sake. You are probably lying on the
couch, with your feet up, eating it anyway.

Martha Stewart
To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the
bag with the potatoes.

Real Women
Buy Hungry Jack mashed potato mix and keep it in the
pantry for up to a year.

Martha Stewart
When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking
pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there
won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake.

Real Women
Go to the bakery. They'll even decorate it for you.

Martha Stewart
Brush some beaten egg white over pie crust before
baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish.

Real Women
The Mrs. Smith's frozen pie directions do not include
brushing egg whites over the crust, so I just don't do it.

Martha Stewart
If you have a problem opening jars, try using latex
dishwashing gloves. They give a non slip grip that
makes opening jars easy.

Real Women
Go ask the very cute neighbor to do it.

And finally the most important tip --

Martha Stewart
Don't throw out all that leftover wine. Freeze into
ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.

Real Women

Leftover wine??????

posted May 24, 2003 07:46 AM         

Works best on fresh stains and whats nice is it works on all fabrics.

posted June 14, 2003 03:07 AM         

Vinegar and baking soda also help clear out minor grease and goo.