Is Recession Preparing a New Breed of Survivalist? [Survival Today

What a great post!!

Welcome to the thread and I hope you find good information here. Feel free to join in at any time with both advice and questions. That’s how Granny finds all the good stuff.

Another Northern California company targeted in spice recall
State health officials announced today that a spice recall linked to a salmonella outbreak has been widened to include another company’s powdered spices.
Read More

http://www.sacbee.com/1089/story/1797805.html

snipped....

White and black pepper and curry powder sold in 5-pound containers under the “Natural and Delicious” label by CJ United Corporation, based in Oakland, have been recalled, according to a statement on the state Department of Public Health’s Web site.

2nd headline....

* 47 area businesses on tainted-spice list

1. Brave Products Reannounces Recall of Log Splitters; Additional Incidents Prompt Urgent Warning of Amputation Hazard
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09174.html

2. May 1, 2009 Deadline Approaching for Remedy Change in Recall Program; Consumers Urged to Replace Dangerous Home Heating Vent Pipes
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09175.html

3. Lakeshore Learning Materials Recalls Children’s Toy Boxes Due to Choking Hazard
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09176.html

Spring is Here !

My first mantis “egg” hatched late yesterday and I have hundreds of babies..

due to economy turn-down, cigars will not be available..

For those not familiar with mantises, I highly recommend them, not so much as they will eat ALL your flower pests, but are a delight to have in the flower garden and caution :

you will become attached to one of the wonders of creation..

after initial contact they will begin to recognize you by your body smell and voice.

they only live until fall frost so enjoy the summer together.. give it a try..

Homemade Air Freshener Sprays

Posted By TipNut On July 16, 2007 @ 6:18 am In Homemade Cleaners | 13 Comments

Lemon Air Freshener Spray

Ingredients

2 cups hot water
1/8 cup baking soda
1/2 cup lemon juice

Directions

* First dissolve the baking soda in hot water then add the lemon juice. You can use ReaLemon for this (expired is fine).

Quick Tip: Easy Homemade Deodorizer Sprays:

You can also whip up some good, fresh smelling spray with just two ingredients: water or vinegar and essential oils.

* Simply fill a spray bottle with water or vinegar, add a dozen or so drops of your favorite essential oils and spray away!

You may also be interested in these recipes: Fragrant Home: 13 Simmering Pot Recipes [1], Lavender Vinegar [2] and Multipurpose Herb Vinegar [3]–they can be used as air fresheners or deodorizers too and these Febreeze recipes [4].
Also See These Tips:

* Homemade Herbal Carpet Freshener Recipe [5]
* Vanilla & Cloves Air Freshener Spray - Recipe [6]
* Salt Packed Citrus Shells: DIY Air Freshener [7]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/homemade-lemon-air-freshener-spray/

URLs in this post:

[1] Fragrant Home: 13 Simmering Pot Recipes: http://tipnut.com/fragrant-home-13-simmering-pot-recipes/

[2] Lavender Vinegar: http://tipnut.com/lavender-vinegar-recipes/

[3] Multipurpose Herb Vinegar: http://tipnut.com/multipurpose-herb-vinegar/

[4] Febreeze recipes: http://tipnut.com/4-homemade-febreeze-recipes/

[5] Homemade Herbal Carpet Freshener Recipe: http://tipnut.com/homemade-herbal-carpet-freshener-recipe/

[6] Vanilla & Cloves Air Freshener Spray - Recipe: http://tipnut.com/vanilla-air-freshener/

[7] Salt Packed Citrus Shells: DIY Air Freshener: http://tipnut.com/citrus-shells/

Vanilla & Cloves Air Freshener Spray - Recipe

Posted By TipNut On September 19, 2008 @ 8:07 am In Homemade Cleaners | 1 Comment

Ingredients

1 cup water
1 cup household vinegar
1 TBS vanilla extract
1 tsp cloves

Directions

* Bring all ingredients to a boil then simmer over medium heat for two minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
* Strain cloves then pour liquid into spray bottle, shake and use as needed.

Note: You can increase/decrease the vanilla & cloves amounts to your preference.

More Homemade Freshener Goodies:

* Homemade Air Freshener Sprays [1]
* Fragrant Home: 13 Simmering Pot Recipes [2]
* 4 Homemade Febreeze Recipes [3]

Also See These Tips:

* Homemade Air Freshener Sprays [1]
* Homemade Herbal Carpet Freshener Recipe [4]
* Salt Packed Citrus Shells: DIY Air Freshener [5]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/vanilla-air-freshener/

URLs in this post:

[1] Homemade Air Freshener Sprays: http://tipnut.com/homemade-lemon-air-freshener-spray/

[2] Fragrant Home: 13 Simmering Pot Recipes: http://tipnut.com/fragrant-home-13-simmering-pot-recipes/

[3] 4 Homemade Febreeze Recipes: http://tipnut.com/4-homemade-febreeze-recipes/

[4] Homemade Herbal Carpet Freshener Recipe: http://tipnut.com/homemade-herbal-carpet-freshener-recipe/

[5] Salt Packed Citrus Shells: DIY Air Freshener: http://tipnut.com/citrus-shells/

Salt Packed Citrus Shells: DIY Air Freshener

Posted By TipNut On April 21, 2009 @ 6:05 am In Homemade Cleaners, Household Tips, Tipnut Mailbag | 2 Comments

Freshly Cut Orange
Here’s a neat tip sent in by Paulina for one of the most natural and easiest to make air fresheners I’ve come across yet…

I picked this tip up from a local newspaper some years ago and I’ve been using it ever since, I just love the smell of oranges:

* Cut an orange in half and remove the pulp;
* Fill the empty shell with some salt;
* Put in the back of your fridge as a fridge freshener;
* Keep the orange shell in a small bowl so it won’t tip over and spill the salt.

The salt absorbs stale and nasty odors while the shell releases a fresh, orange smell. I also tuck one of these behind the toilet in our bathroom.

Another way you can do this is cut an orange in half and coat the exposed flesh liberally with salt. Since we love eating oranges I always remove the pulp first.

This would also work for other citrus fruits like lemons and grapefruits. For another handy way to use citrus peels, check out this homemade cleaner: Homemade Citrus Household Cleaner [1].

For more natural air freshener ideas, see:

* Vanilla & Cloves Air Freshener Spray - Recipe [2]
* Fragrant Home: 13 Simmering Pot Recipes [3]
* Homemade Air Freshener Sprays [4]

Nice tip, thanks very much Paulina for sharing this tip with us!

This is the newest addition to the Tipnut Mailbag [5] section. Share your tips with fellow Tip Nuts by sending in your favorite tip [6] to be featured in the Tipnut Mailbag section.

There will be some editorial control and I am interested in items with good details, fairly original or unique and are helpful for everyday living or are Wow! neat to know–you’ll get full credit for the tip.
Also See These Tips:

* Vanilla & Cloves Air Freshener Spray - Recipe [2]
* Homemade Citrus Vinegar Cleaner [1]
* Homemade Air Freshener Sprays [4]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/citrus-shells/

URLs in this post:

[1] Homemade Citrus Household Cleaner: http://tipnut.com/homemade-citrus-vinegar-cleaner/

[2] Vanilla & Cloves Air Freshener Spray - Recipe: http://tipnut.com/vanilla-air-freshener/

[3] Fragrant Home: 13 Simmering Pot Recipes: http://tipnut.com/fragrant-home-13-simmering-pot-recipes/

[4] Homemade Air Freshener Sprays: http://tipnut.com/homemade-lemon-air-freshener-spray/

[5] Tipnut Mailbag: http://tipnut.com/category/mailbag/

[6] sending in your favorite tip: http://tipnut.com/contact/

Homemade Citrus Vinegar Cleaner

Posted By TipNut On September 17, 2007 @ 6:54 am In Homemade Cleaners | 9 Comments

Found this great recipe in a file download from West Michigan Environmental Action Council *(removed pdf link, it’s no longer available). I tried it and loved it–here’s what I did:

Homemade Citrus Household Cleaner

* Fill a large, wide mouth jar with citrus peels (such as lemons, oranges, limes, grapefruits). Cover the peels with white household vinegar. Let brew for four weeks, shaking the jar occasionally (just to mix it up a bit). Strain (I did this twice).
* Use as a laundry booster [1] (I just tossed it in with the whites), window cleaner, floor cleaner, counter tops, appliances (Dilute in water–1/2 cup per gallon of water works well). For a stovetop grease buster I just sprayed it on undiluted. Test surfaces first before using.

Tips:

* Before filling the jar, I made sure the citrus peels were scrubbed well in baking soda and water [2] to remove any chemicals or pesticides. It’s a lot easier if you do this before peeling the fruit!
* To collect the peels, throughout the week store all the citrus peels in a baggy or airtight container and refrigerate. If your household doesn’t go through a lot of citrus fruit in a week, just chop up what peels you have and fill a small glass jar (or even spray bottle) with peels and cover with vinegar. To make a big jar like above, you need a lot of peels. You could try freezing the peels and then thawing the bunch when you have enough, I haven’t tested that though.

You may also like to try the Lavender Vinegar Recipes [3], some can be used in cleaning too.

Collect your citrus peels, there are so many great uses for them! Here are more ideas from past Tipnut articles: Quick Tip: Lemon & Orange Peels For Firestarters [4], Uses for Citrus Peels Plus Candied Lemon Peel Recipe [5], Enamel Cookware Stain Removal Tips [6], Homemade Potpourri 101 [7].
Also See These Tips:

* Homemade Oven Cleaner Recipes [8]
* Homemade Window Cleaner Recipes & Tips [9]
* Lavender Vinegar Recipes [3]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/homemade-citrus-vinegar-cleaner/

URLs in this post:

[1] laundry booster: http://tipnut.com/laundry-boosters-vinegar/

[2] the citrus peels were scrubbed well in baking soda and water: http://tipnut.com/produce-wash/

[3] Lavender Vinegar Recipes: http://tipnut.com/lavender-vinegar-recipes/

[4] Quick Tip: Lemon & Orange Peels For Firestarters: http://tipnut.com/how-to-make-waterproof-matches-firestarters/

[5] Uses for Citrus Peels Plus Candied Lemon Peel Recipe: http://tipnut.com/uses-for-citrus-peels-plus-candied-lemon-peel-recipe/

[6] Enamel Cookware Stain Removal Tips: http://tipnut.com/enamel-pot-stain-removal-tips/

[7] Homemade Potpourri 101: http://tipnut.com/homemade-potpourri-101/

[8] Homemade Oven Cleaner Recipes: http://tipnut.com/oven-cleaner-recipes/

[9] Homemade Window Cleaner Recipes & Tips: http://tipnut.com/more-homemade-window-cleaner-recipes-to-try/

Grow 100 lbs. Of Potatoes In 4 Square Feet: How To

Posted By TipNut On April 7, 2009 @ 1:06 pm In Garden & Plants, Popular Tips | 35 Comments

Potato Box Project By The Seattle Times
Quite the clever gardening tip here folks! Today’s feature includes tips from three different sources for growing potatoes vertically (in layers) instead of spread out in rows across your garden. If you have limited garden space or want to try some nifty gardening magic, this could be a great option for you.

First, there’s this article from The Seattle Times: It’s Not Idaho, But You Still Can Grow Potatoes [1]:

The potatoes are planted inside the box, the first row of boards is installed and the dirt or mulch can now be added to cover the seed potatoes. As the plant grows, more boards and dirt will be added.

You plant potatoes in one bottom layer, boarding up the sides of each layer and adding dirt as you go higher (you wait until the plants have grown a bit before adding a new layer). While new potatoes are growing in the top layers, remove the boards from the first layer at the bottom to carefully dig out the potatoes that are ready for harvesting. Fill the dirt back in and board up the box again. You move up the layers and harvest as the potatoes are ready. I imagine the new potatoes in the first couple bottom layers would be somewhat awkward to get at but as you move higher–not so bad.

I traced the information provided in the article to Irish Eyes Garden Seeds, they have another how-to article online here: How to Grow 100 lbs. of Potatoes in 4 Square Feet [2]. They also advise you can skip the box and try growing the potatoes in a barrel or wire cage instead.

In another article on The Seattle Times (How To Grow Potatoes At Home [3]), I came across this blog post from Sinfonian’s Square Foot Garden that details his attempt at growing potatoes with this potato box method: Build-As-You-Grow Potato Bins [4]. The info was from last year (lots of pics) and he’s promised updates of this year’s attempts. He added this tip for a better yield:

Greg from Irish-Eyes Garden City Seeds let me know that Yukon Golds, and all early varieties set fruit once and do not do well in towers. You only get potatoes in the bottom 6 inches, which is what I got. Late season alternatives to yukon gold are Yellow Fin and Binjte.

Bonus! For a handy project sheet, The Seattle Times has a nice image file detailing the steps (click to view the original):

How To Build & Use Your Potato Box: The Seattle Times

Imagine growing all those potatoes in a just a few square feet–and how drastically reduced the potato-patch weeding job will be! So Clever.

*Updated, corrected information
Also See These Tips:

* How To Make & Grow A Loofah Sponge [5]
* How To Grow Roses In Pots [6]
* How to Grow Upside Down Tomato Plants [7]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/grow-potatoes/

URLs in this post:

[1] It’s Not Idaho, But You Still Can Grow Potatoes: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/homegarden/2002347126_potatoes25.html

[2] How to Grow 100 lbs. of Potatoes in 4 Square Feet: http://www.gardencityseeds.net/growers1.php

[3] How To Grow Potatoes At Home: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2008829994_seedside09.html

[4] Build-As-You-Grow Potato Bins: http://ft2garden.powweb.com/sinfonian/?page_id=12

[5] How To Make & Grow A Loofah Sponge: http://tipnut.com/how-to-make-grow-a-loofah-sponge/

[6] How To Grow Roses In Pots: http://tipnut.com/how-to-grow-roses-in-pots/

[7] How to Grow Upside Down Tomato Plants: http://tipnut.com/how-to-grow-upside-down-tomato-plants/

Creative Container Gardening: Tips & Ideas

Posted By TipNut On May 2, 2008 @ 6:37 am In Garden & Plants, Popular Tips | 1 Comment

Lots of goodies today! If you’d like to get creative with your yard display this year, I’ve put together a list to help tweak some creative container ideas for you (this is also a great way to repurpose household items [1] that would otherwise be junked).

Next you’ll find four videos: two provide tips for container gardening that will help your potted plants do their best, and two videos show how to make your own garden containers using hypertufa (I love that stuff!).

Then you’ll find a few more ideas for creative gardening listed here on Tipnut as well as other places I’ve found on the net.
Creative Garden Pot Containers (Ideas)

Here is a list of different items you can use to make some very creative plant and flower displays, I’ve either seen these implemented or come across mention of them.

Make sure to add your favorite ideas too!

1. Work Boots (leave the toe intact or cut out for flowers to bloom out both ends)
2. Metal Buckets & Pails (these can be painted in either a solid color or with a decorative design–but plain metal works too)
3. Wicker Baskets (these can be painted)
4. Wooden Kegs/Whisky Barrels/Rain Barrels
5. Wheelbarrow
6. Old Toybox & Wooden Crates
7. Deep Roasting Pans, Stock Pots
8. Old Bicycle (I saw a yard display once that had a bicycle basket attached to the front handlebars with flowers planted inside, as well as hanging flower bags fixed across the seat)
9. Old Fashioned Baby Carriage
10. Mailbox
11. Old Chair (cut out the seat and attach a fitted container inside)
12. Dresser Drawer
13. Deep Enamelware Pots
14. Child’s Wagon (choose one that’s deep so there’s lots of soil for the plants to grow)
15. End Table (turned on its side)
16. Watering Cans
17. Hypertufa Containers (see more info below)
18. Bird Houses (large with the roof removed and a plant inside)
19. Wooden Tool Box
20. Old Fashioned Bird Cage (pot inside)
21. Hollowed Out Stumps & Logs
22. Old Wash Tubs

Container Tips

* The sky’s the limit when choosing containers but use items that have a deep space, enough to hold the necessary amount of potting soil for your plants and flowers to thrive. Once you start getting creative with your containers, you’ll be looking at “junk” in a whole new way ;).
* Make sure that you either drill or cut drainage holes otherwise the plants won’t do well and the roots will rot.
* For metal containers, you can line them with several thicknesses of newspaper before filling with potting soil. This will give the roots some protection from the heat.
* If you choose items that won’t survive strong winds without toppling over (like a standing bicycle), choose places to display in the yard that will provide some shelter from the wind.
* For large containers, first fill with false bottoms or recycled materials so you can save money on potting soil (also mentioned in one of the videos below).

Tips For Container Gardening

Here are two different videos offering tips for preparing plant pots and containers. I have included summary notes under each video for those who can’t view them.

Notes:

* Make sure the container has a drainage hole so excess water will come out the bottom to prevent root rot.
* Bigger pots are better since they hold the water longer. To save on potting soil as well as not make the pots too heavy, try filling the bottom of the pots with recycled materials like styrofoam peanuts, crushed cans or a false bottom (you can buy these). Top with a square of weed barrier fabric before adding potting mix so the soil stays above the bottom filler materials.
* Pick a good potting soil mix that contains perlite or vermiculite for drainage as well as peatmoss to hold the moisture.
* If the potting soil you use doesn’t contain any fertilizer, add & mix in some slow release fertilizer to the potting mix before you fill the pot with plants.
* Water plants thoroughly and check the plants daily.

Three Things You Need To Know To Grow Great Containers:

Notes:

* Make sure you water enough so that the water comes out the bottom of the container. This ensures that the entire container of soil is wet, not just the top.
* Feed plants at least once a week.
* Liquid Fish Emulsion is the best growth food for most container plants since it contains all the growth fertilizers plants need for superior growth.

Make Your Own Garden Pots With Hypertufa

I’ve written about hypertufa before [2], now here are some videos showing you how easy it is to make:

Notes:

* Find forms using things like dish pans, oil pans, boxes
* Materials: Equal parts Perlite, Peat Moss, Pure Portland Cement
* Water: Slowly add water (usually slightly less than the amount of the container used for the above ingredients). Mix enough water so the mix will hold shape when making a ball.
* Pack the hypertufa into the form (first lined with plastic), about 2 inch thick (smaller containers are fine with 1 inch to 1 1/2 inch thick).
* Make sure the container will drain well.
* Use potting mix that drains well.
* The hypertufa pots are fine to leave outside over winter since they are porous.

Hypertufa How To & Tips

Notes:

* Make Hypertufa with Peat, Perlite, Portland Cement. Mix all together before adding water. You can add concrete coloring at this point (check at the hardware store).
* Build a well in the middle of the mix then add a small amount of water. Mix, slowly add more water, mix, keep adding water until you have the consistency of cottage cheese and the hypertufa mix will hold together its shape when you form into a ball.
* If you add too much water, it’s easy to fix by adding a little more peat or perlite until you get the consistency you want.
* First line the form with plastic so the pot is easy to pop out when it’s dry. Add bubble wrap if you’d like a bubble design on the outside of the pot. You can also add pieces of moss along the sides.
* Press the hypertufa into the form, start at the bottom then the sides. Pack it in tight.
* Sit for 5 to 7 days to harden, then pop the pot out of the form. Leave for another 7 to 10 days to make sure the hypertufa is dry.
* Rinse the pot with vinegar to make sure all the lime from the cement will be removed.
* Bonsais do well in hypertufa pots.

More Tips & Ideas Found On The Net

* Melanie’s Old Country Garden - Creative Containers [3]
* Taunton: Thrillers, Fillers & Spillers [4] (tips for eye-catching containers)
* Taunton: Staging a Container Plant Display [5]
* DIY Network: The Dirt On Creative Containers [6] *popup warning

More Creative Gardening Ideas Found On Tipnut

* Make a Big Splash with a Tiny Water Garden [7]
* How To Make A Garden Fountain [8]
* How To Grow Roses In Pots [9]
* Gorgeous: How To Make A Succulent Ball [10]
* Cool Backyard Project: Design A Mini-Garden [11]
* Garden Display Project: Tipsy Pots [12]
* How To Grow Roses In Pots [9]
* Bubbling Urn Water Feature: Backyard Project Tutorial [13]

One of the best things to have when container gardening is a potting bench. These make an ideal work space (which your back will surely thank you for!), here are some free plans [14] that will help you make your own.
Also See These Tips:

* Baking Gifts: Creative Container & Filler Ideas [15]
* Frugal Recycling Ideas For Gardening [16]
* Create A New Garden Feature FAST With Moss Or Stain [17]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/creative-container-gardening-tips-ideas/

URLs in this post:

[1] repurpose household items: http://tipnut.com/category/crafts/repurposing/

[2] hypertufa before: http://tipnut.com/make-your-own-garden-pots-with-hypertufa/

[3] Melanie’s Old Country Garden - Creative Containers: http://melaniesoldcountrygarden.blogspot.com/search/label/Containers

[4] Taunton: Thrillers, Fillers & Spillers: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/design/articles/thrillers-fillers-spillers.aspx

[5] Taunton: Staging a Container Plant Display: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/design/articles/staging-container-plant-display.aspx

[6] DIY Network: The Dirt On Creative Containers: http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/ic_planters_pots_boxes/article/0,2029,DIY_13967_5515143,00.html

[7] Make a Big Splash with a Tiny Water Garden: http://tipnut.com/make-a-big-splash-with-a-tiny-water-garden/

[8] How To Make A Garden Fountain: http://tipnut.com/how-to-make-a-garden-fountain/

[9] How To Grow Roses In Pots: http://tipnut.com/how-to-grow-roses-in-pots/

[10] Gorgeous: How To Make A Succulent Ball: http://tipnut.com/gorgeous-how-to-make-a-succulent-ball/

[11] Cool Backyard Project: Design A Mini-Garden: http://tipnut.com/design-a-mini-garden/

[12] Garden Display Project: Tipsy Pots: http://tipnut.com/project-tipsy-pots/

[13] Bubbling Urn Water Feature: Backyard Project Tutorial: http://tipnut.com/bubbling-urn/

[14] here are some free plans: http://tipnut.com/potting-bench-plans/

[15] Baking Gifts: Creative Container & Filler Ideas: http://tipnut.com/baking-gifts-container/

[16] Frugal Recycling Ideas For Gardening: http://tipnut.com/frugal-recycling-ideas-for-gardening/

[17] Create A New Garden Feature FAST With Moss Or Stain: http://tipnut.com/create-a-new-garden-feature-fast-with-moss-or-stain/

How To Make A Self-Contained Gardening System

Posted By TipNut On February 22, 2008 @ 1:38 pm In Garden & Plants | 1 Comment

Today’s feature is from Josho.com with a tutorial for How To Make A Self-Contained Gardening System [1].

These gardening systems are perfect for apartment dwellers or those who don’t have time to manage a full-sized garden yet wish to enjoy growing some of their favorite herbs and vegetables.

Self-contained gardening systems discourage weed growth and can yield more per plant than growing in a regular garden.

The site also shares a reference from EarthBox - pdf [2] (a commercial alternative) which includes planting and growing instructions.
Also See These Tips:

* Diggin It: No Dig Gardening [3]
* Growing Lavender: Tips [4]
* Installing An Automated Drip System [5]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/how-to-make-a-self-contained-gardening-system/

URLs in this post:

[1] How To Make A Self-Contained Gardening System: http://www.josho.com/gardening.htm

[2] EarthBox - pdf: http://www.earthbox.com/pdf/earthbox_planting_instructions.pdf#Earthbox(TM) Planting Guide - PDF

[3] Diggin It: No Dig Gardening: http://tipnut.com/no-dig-garden/

[4] Growing Lavender: Tips: http://tipnut.com/growing-lavender-tips/

[5] Installing An Automated Drip System: http://tipnut.com/installing-an-automated-drip-system/

Thanks, I needed to smile.

I had to stop and laugh for a few minutes at the deer.

There is no doubt that Fluffy is giving orders to the driver, good shot of her.

I like them all.

Spring is Here !

My first mantis “egg” hatched late yesterday and I have hundreds of babies..

due to economy turn-down, cigars will not be available..<<<

That is wonderful.....

I always catch one or two for indoors, for I too like them as pets.

One of my largest and best, a few years ago, met his death in a spiders web, he was the largest that I had ever found and still a web got him.

I have tried killing bugs and feeding them, but they will only eat still moving bugs, so don’t kill the bug, LOL, just stun it.

Hello, welcome to the thread, glad you found it and hope you will join in.

I read all the thread and it appears that this is an old and dead bill, but never fear, obama will bring it back.

They will get the guns, they must get the guns, or the take over could fail.

Lavender Vinegar Recipes

Posted By TipNut On December 1, 2006 @ 5:56 am In Beauty & Health, Food, Homemade Cleaners, Recipes | 3 Comments

Lavender is a wonderfully fragrant herb that can be used in cooking. When combined with vinegar, it can also be used for cleaning. Looks pretty and smells nice!

See tips below for preparation and uses of lavender vinegar.

Lavender Vinegar Recipe

Handful of Lavender flowers
1 Pint White Vinegar

* Combine lavender and vinegar, seal and let sit for 6 weeks before using.

Recipe #2

* Fill a jar with lavender (both flowers and stems)
* Pour cider vinegar over top, seal jar and refrigerate
* Shake daily for two weeks
* Strain the vinegar and use

Raspberry & Lavender Vinegar - Recipe #3

1 cup fresh raspberries
5 sprigs of Lavender (approx)
1 quart white wine vinegar
1/3 cup sugar

* Place the rasberries in a large 2 quart jar
* Heat the vinegar with sugar and 1 sprig of lavender until the sugar dissolves (don’t boil)
* Pour vinegar mixture over berries in the jar and mash
* Seal jar and store in a dark, cool place for 3 weeks
* After three weeks, strain jar mixture and divide into sterilized jars (or other glass containers), placing a small sprig of lavender in each

This vinegar would not be suitable for cleaning or beauty aids–cooking additive only.

Recipe #4

1 cup fresh lavender (or 1/2 cup dried)
2 tsp lemon zest
2 cups raw apple cider vinegar

* In a canning jar (quart size), pour vinegar over lavender and lemon zest
* Cover with plastic wrap and seal with jar lid. Store in a cool, dark place for four weeks
* Shake daily
* Strain and then pour vinegar in decorative jars and bottles
* Use in cooking

Recipe #5

2 TBS dried lavender buds
2 cups red vinegar

* Bring to boil and remove from heat
* Set aside for 15 minutes
* Strain
* Store sealed in refrigerator; use for cooking

Lavender Syrup

1 cup sugar
1 cup boiling water
2 TBS dried lavender buds
1 strip lemon zest

* Dissolve sugar into boiling water
* Remove from heat
* Add lavender and lemon zest
* Sit for 20 to 30 minutes
* Strain and refrigerate, use for cooking or on foods

Tips to making lavender vinegar:

* Sterilized jars are a must if vinegar will be used for cooking
* Do not allow vinegar to touch metal
* After straining and ready to use, you can add fresh lavender for cosmetic reasons (looks pretty!)
* Store in a cool dark place, refrigerate cooking vinegar
* You can dilute the vinegar if it’s too strong for your tastes–let sit a few days after diluting
* You can use the vinegar for up to a year if you just plan on using it for cleaning and beauty aids

Uses for lavender vinegar:

* Fruit & vegetable salad dressing
* Marinade for meats and vegetables
* Use to clean floors, mirrors, glass (smells wonderful)–don’t use the sugar recipes for cleaning
* Hair rinse (adds shine and helps with dandruff–dilute first and use 1 part vinegar to 8 part water ratio)
* Facial rinse, blemish aid (dilute with water, use a 1 part vinegar to 8 part water ratio)
* Body splash/deodorizer
* Use in facials (good for oily skin)
* Laundry rinse
* Add to baths

You could also bottle the lavender vinegar in small jars to give as gifts :).
Also See These Tips:

* Homemade Lavender Sugar Recipes [1]
* Raspberry Thyme Vinegar Recipe [2]
* Lavender Liqueur Recipes [3]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/lavender-vinegar-recipes/

URLs in this post:

[1] Homemade Lavender Sugar Recipes: http://tipnut.com/homemade-lavender-sugar-recipes/

[2] Raspberry Thyme Vinegar Recipe: http://tipnut.com/raspberry-thyme-vinegar-recipe/

[3] Lavender Liqueur Recipes: http://tipnut.com/lavender-liqueur/

Diggin It: No Dig Gardening

Posted By TipNut On April 21, 2009 @ 1:02 pm In Garden & Plants | 1 Comment

Harvest From No Dig Garden By treehugger.com
Today’s feature is from Tree Hugger with Try No Dig Gardening For Your Backyard Vegetables [1]:

No-Dig Gardening is such a brilliant form of home-based agriculture I was convinced the TreeHugger archives would be rich with its merits. Was very surprised when I only found one mention, in a post chronicling Leonora’s permaculture adventures in New Zealand.

So I launched into the following first-person account of No-Dig, only to discover that in North America the same process might be better known as as Sheet Mulching. Nomenclature aside, it’s worth covering the topic again. Especially if you want to grow your own veggies for a little food security.

The article is rich in information starting with a bit of background on the No-Dig method of gardening then jumping right into step-by-step details showing how to build this gardening system from the ground up (Bonus: lotsa pics).

The idea is to make a foundation of compost/mulch then only use soil where you plant (make a hole in the mulch, stick a handful or two of dirt inside then plant the seedling). This saves on the amount of soil needed and the backbreaking work of planting/seeding/maintaining a large traditional dirt garden (weed growth is greatly reduced). I’m not too familiar with this method of gardening but the plants have all the soil they need to flourish and it’s ideal for moisture and weed control. According to feedback you can practise this No-Dig method with Herb Spirals [2] (the second video shows an example using a soil-less or no-dig method) and Potato Boxes [3].

Please visit the site above for all the details, very interesting!
Also See These Tips:

* How To Make A Self-Contained Gardening System [4]
* Grow 100 lbs. Of Potatoes In 4 Square Feet: How To [3]
* Creative Container Gardening: Tips & Ideas [5]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/no-dig-garden/

URLs in this post:

[1] Try No Dig Gardening For Your Backyard Vegetables: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/04/try-no-dig-gardening-for-your-backyard-vegetables.php

[2] Herb Spirals: http://tipnut.com/herb-spiral/

[3] Potato Boxes: http://tipnut.com/grow-potatoes/

[4] How To Make A Self-Contained Gardening System: http://tipnut.com/how-to-make-a-self-contained-gardening-system/

[5] Creative Container Gardening: Tips & Ideas: http://tipnut.com/creative-container-gardening-tips-ideas/

Lavender Liqueur Recipes

Posted By TipNut On December 1, 2008 @ 6:27 am In Recipes | 2 Comments

Homemade liqueurs make lovely gifts, but lavender liqueur is something I’ve yet to try. Here are a few recipes I’ve had stashed away for awhile just waiting to be made. If you’ve sampled this kind of liqueur before, I’d like to know what you think of it.

Lavender Liqueur Recipes

Recipe #1

6 TBS Dried Lavender Petals
1 Fifth 80-Proof Vodka
1 Cup Sugar Syrup

Directions

* Steep the petals in the vodka for one week. Filter through cheesecloth and squeeze the petals to extract as much liquid as possible. Add the sugar syrup and enjoy.

Source: MasterCook Recipes

Recipe #2

1 part chamomile flowers
3 parts lemon grass
1 part rose hips
1 part sugar
3 parts lemon balm
1 part lavender flowers
1 part hop flowers (optional)

Directions

* Mix all ingredients together and slightly pack in glass jar. Fill jar with brandy just to cover herbs.
* Cover tightly with lid and set in dark cool place for 3 months.
* Strain and rebottle.

Source: The Madison Herb Society Cookbook

Recipe #3

5 Ounces Lavender flowers
3 Teaspoons Aniseed
3 Teaspoons Peppercorns
32 Ounces Brandy
12 Ounces Sugar

Directions:

* Put flowers, herbs, and brandy into a preserving jar or bottle and seal. Allow to stand for 6 weeks. Filter and add sugar, stirring until completely dissolved. Bottle and seal.

Rose Petal, Lavender & Mint Liqueur

Makes 4 cups (1 L)

Rose petals and sprigs of fresh lavender combine to make a romantic concoction. This recipe uses vodka as its base, but you may want to vary it with a dry white wine, such as a Sauvignon Blanc. Keep the empty vodka bottle to use when mixture is ready to be strained and stored.

1 1/2 cups (375 mL) unsprayed rose petals
1/2 cup (125 mL) fresh lavender sprigs
1/2 cup (125 mL) fresh mint leaves
4 cups (1 L) vodka
1 cup (250 mL) granulated sugar
Sparkling water or club soda to serve
Fresh mint sprigs for garnish (optional)

* Place flowers and mint leaves in a large jar; bruise them lightly with a wooden spoon.
* Add vodka, stirring once or twice; seal jar and set in a cool, dark place. Allow mixture to steep for two days.
* Add sugar, stirring well; let stand for two weeks, shaking jar thoroughly once or twice a day to ensure sugar dissolves.
* Strain mixture through a fine sieve; pour into a clean bottle. Serve over ice with a splash of sparkling water or club soda. Garnish with mint sprigs if desired.

Source: Canadian Gardening [1]

Also check out:

* Make Your Own Apricot Brandy [2]
* Homemade Cranberry Liqueur [3]
* Homemade Irish Cream Recipe [4]

Also See These Tips:

* Homemade Cranberry Liqueur [3]
* Homemade Lavender Sugar Recipes [5]
* Homemade Lavender Water Recipes [6]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/lavender-liqueur/

URLs in this post:

[1] Canadian Gardening: http://www.canadiangardening.com/food-and-entertaining/garden-to-table/edible-flower-recipes/a/1314/2

[2] Make Your Own Apricot Brandy: http://tipnut.com/make-your-own-apricot-brandy/

[3] Homemade Cranberry Liqueur: http://tipnut.com/homemade-cranberry-liqueur/

[4] Homemade Irish Cream Recipe: http://tipnut.com/homemade-irish-cream-recipe/

[5] Homemade Lavender Sugar Recipes: http://tipnut.com/homemade-lavender-sugar-recipes/

[6] Homemade Lavender Water Recipes: http://tipnut.com/homemade-lavender-water-recipes/

25 Vintage Baking Tips: Timeless Wisdom

Posted By TipNut On April 3, 2009 @ 6:15 am In Baking Tips | 1 Comment

Vintage Rolling Pin, Eggs & Flour

I’ve collected these snippets of baking tips from vintage cookbooks and magazines dating from the 1940’s through the 1950’s…the Timeless Wisdom collection is a regular feature on Tipnut where I organize and share all kinds of tips from the past.
Vintage Baking Tips

1. Butter and sugar can be creamed easily when butter is hard by warming the sugar slightly.
2. Light-colored molasses can be darkened to make dark gingerbread by adding a teaspoonful of melted chocolate to each cup of molasses.
3. Cream which is hard to whip will whip quickly by adding a few drops of lemon juice.
4. Molasses can be prevented from sticking to the measuring cup if the cup is first greased with butter or lard.
5. Shortening can be measured exactly. If recipe calls for 1/3 cup, fill measuring cup two-thirds full of water, add enough shortening to bring water to top of cup, pour off water and you have exactly 1/3 cup of shortening.
6. Sour milk can be made by adding two (2) tablespoonfuls of vinegar to one (1) cup of sweet milk and then letting it stand for a few minutes. Your baking will be just as light as if real sour milk were used. Also see Handy Substitute Recipes For Baking [1].
7. Whipped cream substitute, delicious in flavor, can be made by adding a slice of banana to the white of an egg and beating until stiff. The banana will dissolve completely. Also see Substitute For Whipped Cream Recipe [2].
8. Cornstarch is sometimes used in place of eggs when recipe calls for more than you have on hand. A tablespoonful is used for each missing egg. In making custard, omit one or two eggs, and use cornstarch instead (1/2 tablespoon for each egg).
9. Custards will not curdle so readily if a tablespoon of flour mixed with sugar is added.
10. Boiled frosting will not be brittle or break when cut, if a teaspoon of vinegar is beaten into the frosting when the flavoring is added.
11. Add one tablespoonful of jam or jelly to cookie dough. It will add flavor and make the cookies stay moist longer.
12. Doughnuts will not absorb grease if a teaspoonful of vinegar is added to cold fat.
13. Fruit Cake: When baking, place a cup of water in the oven to keep enough moisture in air and prevent cake from drying out while baking. Also see Fruitcake Baking Tips [3].
14. Muffins: Drop a teaspoonful of peanut butter in each muffin pan, over which pour batter. This gives muffins a delightful nutty flavor. Also see 10 Tips For Baking Muffins [4].
15. When a recipe calls for a quantity of melted butter, take care to measure the butter after melting, not before.
16. To soften butter, fill a small china bowl, one just sufficiently large to cover the butter, with boiling water; let stand a minute or two or until thoroughly heated, then empty the water and immediately turn the hot bowl upside down over the butter. In a few minutes, the butter will be softened so it is just right.
17. When separating the yolk from the white of an egg, if you drop a portion of egg yolk into the whites, moisten a cloth with cold water, touch to the yolk and it will adhere to the cloth.
18. Never beat egg-whites in an aluminum pan, as it is sure to darken them.
19. When baking a milk pudding, place the dish in a tin of water in the oven. Then prevents the pudding from burning or boiling over.
20. When cream will not whip, add the white of an egg to your cream–chill it and it will whip.
21. To avoid lumps in batter, add a pinch of salt to the flour before it is wet.
22. How to sugar doughnuts? Shake the sugar and doughnuts together in a paper bag. The same method may be used with flour and chicken, or salt and french fried potatoes.
23. Raisins for cakes and breads will be plump and juicy if soaked in warm water before being added to the batter or dough.
24. Zip up your gingerbread and molasses cookies by adding a bit of grated orange peel to the batter.
25. If chilled ice-box cookie dough shatters when cut with long sharp knife, let stand at room temperature for 1/2 hour to soften very slightly before slicing!

Also See These Tips:

* 25 Cooking & Baking Tips - Timeless Wisdom Collection [5]
* 25 Vintage Cooking Tips: Timeless Wisdom [6]
* 26 Cooking & Baking Tips: Timeless Wisdom Collection [7]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/vintage-baking-tips/

URLs in this post:

[1] Handy Substitute Recipes For Baking: http://tipnut.com/handy-substitute-recipes-for-baking/

[2] Substitute For Whipped Cream Recipe: http://tipnut.com/substitute-for-whipped-cream/

[3] Fruitcake Baking Tips: http://tipnut.com/fruitcake-baking-tips/

[4] 10 Tips For Baking Muffins: http://tipnut.com/baking-muffins/

[5] 25 Cooking & Baking Tips - Timeless Wisdom Collection: http://tipnut.com/25-cooking-baking-tips/

[6] 25 Vintage Cooking Tips: Timeless Wisdom: http://tipnut.com/vintage-cooking-tips/

[7] 26 Cooking & Baking Tips: Timeless Wisdom Collection: http://tipnut.com/cooking-baking-tips/

25 Vintage Kitchen Tips: Timeless Wisdom Collection

Posted By TipNut On April 17, 2009 @ 10:45 am In Kitchen Tips | No Comments

Vintage Kitchenware Items
These tips are from a vintage booklet published in the 1930’s. The Timeless Wisdom collection is a regular feature on Tipnut where we take a look back at the shortcuts and advice shared from decades ago.

25 Vintage Kitchen Tips

1. Fat can be removed from hot soup by straining broth through a cloth wrung from cold water. All the fat will remain in cloth except just enough to enrich soup. Heat soup again before serving.
2. Fish or onion odor can be removed from utensils and dishes by adding a teaspoonful of baking soda to the dish water.
3. Gravy thickening, sauces, etc., can be made smooth by using a small jar with a tight lid. Put the mixture of milk or water and flour into the jar and shake well until all lumps disappear.
4. Grease drippings can be clarified for further use by straining to remove large particles and then cutting up an Irish potato and frying it in the grease. All the small particles will cling to the potato.
5. Iced tea requires only one-half as much sugar if sweetened when hot than when cold. After tea is strained and ready to serve, freeze a portion of it in the electric refrigerator and add this to glasses for cooling instead of plain ice.
6. Gelatine in individual form can be handled easier if a muffin pan is used instead of small molds. Pan can be placed in a refrigerator without danger of over-turning and much time is saved.
7. Milk, in being boiled, frequently sticks to the pan. To prevent this, rinse the pan in hot water before using.
8. Onion odor can be removed from the hands by rubbing them with dry salt.
9. Pancakes can be cooked without smoke or odor by rubbing the gridiron with a small bag of salt, which will also prevent the cakes from sticking to the iron. This is equally effective on waffle iron.
10. Potato water, when used in making gravies, greatly improves the flavor. *Tipnut note: this is what my grandmother always did with her gravies.
11. Salad dressing, boiled, will not curdle if the beaten eggs are stirred into cold vinegar before boiling.
12. Salty tastes in gravies, soups, etc., can be eliminated by dropping a piece of raw potato into the liquid for a few minutes before removing from the fire.
13. Spaghetti or macaroni frequently boil over when cooking. This can be prevented by adding a tablespoon of cooking oil or lard to the water.
14. Spicing of fruits, pickles, relishes, etc., is made easier by putting the spices in a tea ball. It can be removed from the hot syrup at any time without trouble.
15. Bananas for salads will keep their natural color if sprinkled with powdered sugar or lemon juice.
16. Grapefruit or oranges can be peeled easily if permitted to stand in boiling water for ten minutes.
17. Peaches will not discolor if immersed in solution of half milk and half water after peeling.
18. Bacon should be soaked in cold water three or four minutes before frying. This prevents grease from running and gives the bacon a much finer flavor.
19. Fish scales can be removed quickly and easily by first dipping the fish in boiling water.
20. Meats for boiling and roasting should be plunged into cold water first as this hardens the film on the outside, encasing and retaining the juices. No salt should be added until meat is nearly done, as it releases juices of the meat if added too soon.
21. Scrambling eggs: Add a tablespoonful of cream for each egg. It makes them light and they will go farther.
22. Carrots for salads or general cooking should first be dropping in boiling water for two or three minutes. The skins will then come off easily.
23. Cabbage odor can be avoided by dropping two English walnuts (uncracked) into the kettle while cooking.
24. Cabbage is much sweeter if cooked in open kettle 8 minutes.
25. Cauliflower will remain white and give off no odor while cooking in half milk and half water. Use liquid for soup or cream sauce.

Also See These Tips:

* 35 Kitchen Tips - A Collection Of Timeless Wisdom [1]
* 25 Vintage Cooking Tips: Timeless Wisdom [2]
* 26 Kitchen Tips: Timeless Wisdom Collection [3]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/vintage-kitchen-tips/

URLs in this post:

[1] 35 Kitchen Tips - A Collection Of Timeless Wisdom: http://tipnut.com/35-kitchen-tips-a-collection-of-timeless-wisdom/

[2] 25 Vintage Cooking Tips: Timeless Wisdom: http://tipnut.com/vintage-cooking-tips/

[3] 26 Kitchen Tips: Timeless Wisdom Collection: http://tipnut.com/kitchen-tips-timeless/