Board Game Tips

Need to find the directions for your board games?

Glue them to the inside of the game box top!

If you are playing a game that has rows to it, write down the numbers.  It will make game set up a breeze.

Have fun!

Ketchup Tray Tip

Where do you put the ketchup when you are at a fast food joint? Napkins sog and rip, the top of the nugget box works, unless you want to take anything home.

Try a big drink lid. Turn it upside down and squirt away. You can move it all around the table because it is sturdy. Pretty nifty.

Source: My own frustration

Children's Books - Organizing Tip

My son has a deep closet on one side.



That was a perfect place to store the extensive Pehrson children's library I have collected over the years. :)



I organize them by subject. I skim the book and then write the subject of the book on the inside bottom of the cover page. I do write it in pencil, so I can erase and change, if needed.



Then I can find the subject of book that we want to read about very easily later. It also helps when putting all the books away again.



Then, I put all of those thin books (with no spine, so you can't read the title if they are lined up on a shelf) in hanging folders.



Organized by their subject. I use a label maker for the tags. They fit perfectly in the hanging files. You can fit a lot of books in each hanging file.
On a more normal home library scale, you can use organizing crates to do the same thing. (Note crate on top of file cabinet in the second picture for reference.) They have a lip on each side that the hanging files hang perfectly from. You can also stack the crates with the books in them for storage. (It doesn't crush your labels.)

Now you are ready to really use all of those books you have in stacks around your kids rooms! It works really well!

If you want to keep track of all the books that you have, organize them on Goodreads. It is a free online website all about books. You keep your list of what you have read and can share lists with your friends. Then, you are always up to date on the latest and greatest (or not so great) books. It is a great site.

Opt Out to Credit Card and Insurance Offers

If you want to opt out of credit card and insurance offers that come through the mail, here it the national number.

1-888-567-8688

You can opt out for 5 years or lifetime. If you want to opt out for lifetime, you have to go through their questions and then they will send you a form in the mail that you have to fill out and return. If you just want to opt out for 5 years, the phone call is enough.

A Quality Loaf of Bread

Have you tried this bread? It is really good. It tastes much better than the regular bread in the bread section of the store.

Look for it in the Walmart bakery section. It is only $2.50 a loaf and tastes homemade. "It is called Harvest 9-Grain Sandwich Bread".

I have found it at Walmart Superstores and the Walmart neighborhood grocery store. (Or as we call it at our house, Big Walmart and Little Walmart...Wee Walmart is the storage shelves in our garage with supplies on them. :)

Enjoy!

Believe in Yourself

Believe in yourself. Believe in your capacity to do great and good things. Believe that no mountain is so high that you cannot climb it. Believe that no storm is so great that you cannot weather it. You are not destined to be a scrub. You are a child of God, of infinite capacity.

Believe that you can do it whatever it is that you set your heart on. Opportunities will unfold and open before you. The skies will clear when they have been dark with portent...He who is our Eternal Father has blessed you with miraculous powers of mind and body. He never intended that you should be less than the crowning glory of His creations.

- President Gordon B. Hinckley

Great Cupcake Carrier

I purchased this cupcake carrier without a lot of expectations. I have had others and they have never worked that well.



This one was really great. I was able to carry 30 cupcakes in it (there are holes for 24). The holes hold the cupcakes very securely; no tipping over while carrying.



There are two tiers and they unclasp separately from each other. The trays also come out and there are handles for serving. It can carry decorated cookies without them getting smeared, as well.

I was even able to take the napkins under the handle and they stayed put, too. Will's kindergarten teacher had to comment about how much she liked it. So, this product has the seal of approval!

Cupcake Carrier Source: Martha Stewart Cupcake Carrier at Macy's
($24.99; I got it on sale for $19.99)

Cupcake Topper Source: Wholesale Sugar Flowers

Don't Use Expired Mixes with Yeast in Them

This is confirmed on Snopes http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/pancake.asp

Check the expiration dates on packages like pancakes and cake mixes that have yeast which over time develop spores. Apparently, the mold that forms in old mixes can be toxic and even fatal. The mold can cause a severe allergic reaction.

Throw away ALL OUTDATED pancake mix, brownie mixes, Bisquick, cake & cookie mixes, etc., you have in your home.

How to Buy Fresh Bread

When you go to buy bread in the grocery store, have you ever wondered which is the freshest, so you "squeeze" for freshness or softness.

Did you know that bread is delivered fresh to the stores five days a week?Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

And each day has a different color twist tie.
They are:
Monday - Blue
Tuesday - Green
Thursday - Red
Friday - White
Saturday - Yellow

The colors go alphabetically by color:
Blue - Green - Red - White -Yellow, Monday thru Saturday.
Very easy to remember. But I put a post-it note in my wallet when I first found out about this so I would not forget.

Enjoy fresh bread when you buy bread with the right color on the day you are shopping.

Water Purification

If you are storing water for food storage, you need to use preventative measures to keep your water safe to drink. To prevent the growth or microorganisms during water storage use:

8 drops of bleach to 1 gallon of water
OR
1 teaspoon of bleach for every 5 gallons of water.

If you are trying to kill microorganisms or if your water is already cloudy:
16 drops of bleach to 1 gallon of water
OR
2 teaspoons of bleach for every 5 gallons of water stored.

Unscented household bleach with 5% chlorine is recommended.

Bug Tips

No More Mosquitoes
1.  Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

2.  Here is a good thing for the summer, for those who like to sit enjoy the out of
doors, but don't like those pesky mosquitoes. It was given at a gardening forum:

Put some water in a white dinner plate and add just a couple of drops of Lemon Fresh Joy dishwashing soap. Set the dish on a porch or patio. Not sure what attracts them, the lemon smell, the white color, or what, but mosquitoes flock to it, and drop dead, or fall into the water, or on the floor within about 10 ft. Works just super!

Goodbye Fruit Flies
To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it 1/2' with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid; mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!

Get Rid of Ants
Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it 'home,' can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

Squirrel Away!
To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

Grocery Checkout Organization Tip

Key #1 of organization of any kind is grouping. Like items always go together! If you master that one tip, you will find yourself more organized.

The grouping principle also works to save you time. Try it in the grocery store when you are checking out. Group like items together on the conveyor belt for checkout. Group all things that go into the refrigerator on the belt together; yogurts together, cheese together, produce together. Then dry goods; cereal boxes together, drinks together. Same with paper products, hygiene products, canned goods etc.

Our brain automatically groups in clusters, so your friendly checker will automatically go along with your grouping plan without even knowing it! I can pretty well guarantee that most of your now grouped items will end up together in the take away bags.

You will be pleasantly surprised when you come home how much quicker and easier it is to put away your groceries. They are already grouped into the places that they need to go in your home. For me, my hygiene and medicine products are already bagged to go upstairs. When I bring in the groceries, I quickly check the bags and those go right by the stairs to go up. Everything cold quickly goes into the freezer and refrigerator without having to empty all of my bags first.

You won't find a Yoplait in with your Tylenol a day later any more!

Source: My brain

Food Organization Tip - "Fast Food"

This post is dedicated to our reader, Karen! Thanks so much for your kind comment. I will be sure to post more often if this is one of your favorite blogs, Karen! This has been one of my most popular posts on one of my past blogs, so I will post it here for you! Hope you enjoy the tip!

This is a really good day at my house when I can open my refrigerator and the top shelf looks like this. It is not all of the time, but when it is like this, it makes my life easier.



I had the idea impressed upon me to make my own "Fast Food", since we (like everyone else) are always so busy.

So, I try to buy fresh fruits and vegetables and get them all ready in clear, serving size containers. I usually try to buy things cut up and ready to go to save some time. Other things that I make ahead can be salads, rice, chicken etc. It makes packing lunches, getting snacks or making meals easier and healthier when I do it.

I bought the containers at Smart and Final. (On the corner of St. Rose Parkway and Eastern) To save you some time in the store; Isle 6 / 8 oz. are 6.29 for 50 dishes and 5.99 for 50 lids -- dishes and lids are sold separately. They are dishwasher safe, so I reuse them all the time. They have all different sizes, but I use the small ones the most. They are clear so everyone can see what is inside. I also make sure that everything goes on one shelf. That way everyone knows where to look for the snacks.

It was a thought that helped me a lot. My "Fast Food" shelf makes me a happy camper when it is stocked and ready to go. You can click on the picture to enlarge it, if you want to get some ideas for your own use.

Source: Divine Inspiration!

Funny Blog to Check Out - Tip #12

Since we have been tipping about makeovers, here is a blog all about the before picture!

Check out http://www.sexypeople-blog.com/ for a good laugh or an all too clear memory!

Source: Found it on http://mormoninmanhattan.blogspot.com/

Best Lip Color That I Have Ever Used - Tip #11

Reel me in 'cause I am hooked!! I have dry, sensitive, peeling lips. Always have and always thought that I would. Not anymore!

I tried Bare Escentuals Buxom Big and Healthy Lip Polish for $18 that Tori at Bare Escentuals told me about. She applied the Dolly color. It is great!

It has enough color so that you don't have to wear a lipstick with it and enough shine to be a lip gloss. It is a lip plumper product and it really does plump up your lips. (I didn't wear any today and they still feel plump from yesterday!) It has menthol in it, so it gives you a cool, tingling feeling. It is also meant to decrease fine lines and my lips look great today. The tube is also really big.

I am hydrated, plumped up and less wrinkly lipped today. What more could a 42 year old want out of her cool lip gloss? Nothing, just more colors for my collection!

I did go back and get the Vanessa color. It is a deep red and actually is still red when it hits your lips. I never get that out of a gloss. The dark reds usually are hot pink when I get home and put them on. I like that you can try all of the colors at the Bare Escentuals counter before you decide to buy anything. Much smarter shopping!

I know what I am requesting for Mother's Day. More Buxom lip gloss colors, please!!!

Source: Tori, the makeup wizard at the Henderson Macy's Bare Escentuals counter.

Makeup Makeover - Tip #10

I use Bare Minerals makeup and have for years and really like it. Then, I saw a Bare Escentuals makeup counter at Macy's a few months ago. I called for an appointment and had them re-do all of my makeup. (The last lesson I had was probably in 8th grade by my Mother! :)

I can't believe how much I learned and how much I did NOT know in applying makeup correctly. I was amazed at how learning a few tips make such a big difference. Best of all, the makeover is no charge.

So, the tip of the day is to schedule a time with your favorite makeup counter and get a refresher course in the makeup that you use. I plan on going back to my new favorite makeup artist, Tori, in a few months to have her show me a new summer look for my eyes, as well.

If you are local and go to the Bare Escentuals counter in the Galleria Mall Macy's, be sure to schedule your appointment with Tori (702-458-7300 x 2120)! She is an amazing artist, wonderful teacher and delightful person. Thank you, Tori, for my new look! I love it!

Castor Oil - Tip #9

Castor oil is great! It has drawing out/pulling properties unlike other oils. I have a couple of great uses for it.

I use it for splinters. If you get a splinter, put some Castor oil on the splinter and cover with a bandage. Repeat this process until the splinter "peaks" back out of your skin. The Castor oil will pull it out of your skin, so you can get enough of the splinter to pull it out with tweezers.

I also use it for blind zits. They are the hormonal type of boil that gets so sore and big, but never comes to a head. Repeatedly put Castor oil on the blind zit. It will immediately start to help with the pain and will make the mountainous blind zit come to a head to be able to pop.

Castor oil draws pus out of sores as well. So, it will help get infection out of a wound.

When you need to have something extracted; think Castor oil. I have a small bottle of it in my first aid kit and use it more than you would think! I have purchased mine at the health food store.

Source: My health expert Mom in the early 1990's. Thanks, Mom!

For more health tips, go to my health blog at Gesundheit

Daylight Savings Time Tip - Tip #8

When we have to Fall Back or Spring Forward every 6 months, we have to adjust our clocks. This is a great time to remember to check or change other things around your house. Things that you don't normally have a set schedule for are great to schedule around Daylight Savings Time.

You can mark on your calendar in advance to do some of the following things on the weekend that we adjust our clocks.

Replace smoke alarm batteries
Test smoke alarms to make sure that they work
Clean smoke alarms by blowing the dust out of them
Test house alarms
Replace air filters
Check air tire pressure
Check medications for expired items
Schedule a fire drill with your family

Source: Vintage Martha Stewart advice

Organize Your Plastic Grocery Bags - Tip #7

How do you store your grocery bags? Or, do you even store them at all? Well, I have a great solution for you!



You can reduce the size of the plastic pile by



wadding up each bag into a ball



and stuffing it into a Kleenex box! You will not believe how many you can fit into one box. It is compact and very easy to dispense again.



You can do the same thing with your oversized bags. Then you have a big bag to easily find, too.



The boxes fit neatly and compactly in your space! I have them in my kitchen. I also have them in a child proof space upstairs for dirty diaper removal (before they go into the Diaper Genie). I have the last one in our pet area for pet waste.

Lots of uses!

Source: This is one of my favorite tips and have used it for about 15 years! This was one of the 1st tips I learned on my journey in "thing organization". I used to watch a show called Lynette Jennings Home on the Discovery channel and I learned a lot from her. Thanks Lynette!

How to Thaw Bread - Tip #6

Be sure to thaw your frozen bread in the refrigerator. If you put it in your refrigerator before bed, you will have a perfect loaf for morning school sandwiches. There will be no hard crusts like you get from thawing the bread on the counter.



Source: Lots of my own wrecked loaves of bread.

Low Calorie Bagel Toppings - Tip #5

I think that Jenn E. was able to see my scheduled posts on this tip blog! Yep, the next post after the bagels, was to tip about the toppings!

She is right! The Weight Watchers whipped cream cheese is really good on bagels.

We use that cream cheese and the



"I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray".

It all turns out good and doesn't taste too "diety". Dig in. It won't hurt. I promise.

Source: My searching eyes in the refrigerated section. The spray has been a staple for a long time in our fridge.

Back Up Source: Jenn E. on the WW cream cheese

Low Calorie Bagel - Tip #4

Here is another tip that follows our continuing subject of bread.

I just recently found a low-calorie bagel. They are only 110 calories per bagel. They are called The Alternative Bagel from Western Bagel. They sell three varieties in the refrigerated section at Wal-Mart; Cinnamon Spice, Roasted Onion and Sweet Wheat.



Pretty tasty little guys with a lot fewer calories.

Source:  My eyes scanning the refrigerated section.

Homemade Bread Crumbs - Tip #3

Another tip for bread! Homemade bread crumbs are so easy to make. Try this the next time your recipe calls for them.

Put a few pieces of bread (stale or fresh) in your food processor. Add a pinch of salt. Pulse for a few seconds and you have fresh bread crumbs!



If you want to season them, just add in a little bit of whatever taste you are going for.

These homemade bread crumbs will make your meatloaf and meatballs so much moister that the ones from the can.

Source: Probably Martha Stewart

For more cooking ideas go to: A Dash of Vanilla Blog

Cubed Stale Bread Can Also Make Great Croutons - Tip #2

Stale bread cut into cubes can also be repurposed to make great homemade croutons.

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Put on a cookie sheet. Drizzle your bread with olive oil, salt & pepper. Add any other seasonings that you might like. Bake 10 - 15 minutes. Gourmet!

Source: My experimentation living in Ivins, UT. Homemade crouton recipes are now easy to find.

To find more cooking ideas go to: A Dash of Vanilla Blog

Fish Food for a Later Date - Tip #1

Do you want to feed the fish or ducks at a nearby pond or park with your kids or grandkids? You will always be ready with this tip.



Use your bread that has gone stale or is unusable. (Think heels or the last hot dog bun, etc.) For our example; ciabatta rolls.



Cut them up



into bite size pieces.



Bag all of your scraps together



and put them in your freezer in a small designated spot.



Then, when you get the wild idea that you want to go feed an animal, you are ready!



Places here in the Las Vegas, NV area to feed the fish and ducks are:
Sunset Park
Lake Mead Marina

Source: Bret's dad & his family were here to visit. We decided to cut up all of the stale freezer bread that we had before we went to feed the fish at the Lake Mead Marina. It was a hit and made the outing easy when we got there.