Dis & Dast for October 13, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 | By DustiRose
October 13, 2009
Recipe
Ingredients
1/3 cup butter
1 cup gramb cracker crumb mix
3/4 cup milk chocolate chips
3/4 cup coconut or toffee chips
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
Directions
Melt 1/3 cup butter in Rock ‘N Serve Large Container for 45 sec. Add 1 cup graham cracker crumb; mix, flatten and microwave 1 ½ minutes.
Then add the following:
¾ cups milk chocolate chips or whatever
¾ cups coconut or toffee chips or whatever
2/3 cups sweetened Condensed milk (about ½ of the can)
Cover and microwave for 4-5 minutes. Cool completely, cut and serve.
What is better for the environment: Cloth diapers or disposble diapers?
Some will say that the water used to wash cloth diapers takes away any environmental savings that come from using cloth rather than disposable. However, here are some important facts to consider.
1. It has been estimated that roughly 5 million tons of untreated waste and a total of 2 billion tons of urine, feces, plastic and paper are added to landfills each year.
2. It takes around 80,000 pounds of plastic and over 200,000 trees a year to manufacture the disposable diapers used in the United States alone.
3. So-called biodegradable disposable diapers need to be exposed to the air and sun to biodegrade. Since this is unlikely to happen with a 'dirty' diaper, it can take hundreds of years for them to decompose.
4. The waste from these diapers are in our landfills that are not designed to treat this type of waste. This can cause possible contanmination to our water supply.
5. Some suggest diapers can be burned. However, incineration causes other problems such as the clorin bleach being converted to dioxin.
The decision to use cloth or disposable is totally up to you, the consumer. Hopefully, the above points will help you decide to use diapers that would help preserve our environment for future generations.
Today's Quote
“Law of Window Cleaning: It's on the other side”
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Dis & Das for October 12, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009 | By DustiRose
October 12, 2009
Today's Quote
Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing up is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing.
Phyllis Diller
Today's Recipe
Old Fashioned Apple Pie Recipe
Ingredients:
2 9-inch pie crusts (one for the top crust, one for the bottom crust)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash of salt
2 tablespoons butter
6 cups thinly sliced and cored apple
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425F.
2. Mix sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, and salt. Stir in the apples.
3. Place into pie crust, dot with butter. Cover with top crust, and slit evenly to let steam escape. Seal the top crust to the bottom by pinching the edges together.
3. Cover edge of the crust with a three inch strip of aluminum foil.
4. Bake 40-50 minutes, until crust is brown and juice begins to bubble through top.
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Hmmmm....
Monday, October 05, 2009 | By DustiRose
Hi!
I'm Lisa a.k.a. DustiRose, WildFire or Sccntrybumpkin to my friends. I thought I would just create a blog where I can post recipes, tips, hints or little tidbits of "Dis & Dat".
You don't have to read my blog but ya never know I'm gonna post. please feel free to post any comments you may have about my post.
Thanks Bunches,
Dusti
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Hello Frugal Life Readers! So Great To Be Here!
Friday, September 25, 2009 | By angelsolutions
I've been a huge fan of Thrifty Fun for absolutely years & can remember corresponding with Susan about using TF's RSS feeds on some of my Squidoo pages. She was so sweet and wonderful.
I can't believe I've waited this long to make my blog here, but here I finally am! I love all things thrifty, frugal, crafty and about organizing. Recycling, reducing and reusing are especially fun to me. Just knowing I can reduce the amount of trash that goes to the landfills by recycling & reusing, makes me feel so much better. And being frugal, there's not that much I buy that's brand new either. LOL
As my about me says, I also love gardening ~ so hopefully I'll be able to share some helpful tips there. I know I always love reading my Thrifty Fun Happy Garden digest.
Better keep this short and sweet ~ just wanted to introduce myself to get started with. Blessings to you & see you again soon!
Sylvia
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Playing Event Planner, sortta
Monday, June 29, 2009 | By pamphyila
A dear friend planned a celebration to honor the 40th Anniversary of Stonewall - with a Celtic Communion Service conducted by an Archbishop who was there - I was singing, but I got involved in setting up the event, too. There were pretty organized, but the outdoor plastic tables & chairs had to be washed OFF. Luckily my boy scout husband had some soap in the car, which I put in a bucket I found & I used that to clean off everything.
I "fluffed" by taping colored tissue paper to the white plastic tabletops - and for the really dingy tables, I put pieces of the tissue paper under some sheer fabric (old sheer curtains). It's amazing how elegant that looked! We also had some signs I could put on the tables to decorate them. I also filled the top of the dry fountain behind where we served with colored tissue to make it "pop" a bit.
Instead of brewing hot tea for the ice tea, as I had been told, I just put the teabags in the urns we had, added water and put them in the sun to make "sun tea." Worked fine, and as it was a not day, there was no need for any more heat....Ice tea and lemonade are really nice and economical beverages for the summer. Our lemons came from the tree of one of our circle of friends, too. Fresh real lemonade is so good. Ditto fresh ice tea. (I have also made it and put it in punchbowls.) A spring of mint, also from the garden, adds a bit of class.
I wore a linen Donna Karan blouse I had picked up somewhere - which I had had to treat for spots with bleach, and mend the collar slightly - but great for the heat! And I added a nylon scarf I had gotten at the 99 Cent Store. (Nylon can be great in the heat, as it refuses to WILT.) And I just had to spray my crinkly rayon pants with wrinkle spray - no ironing required and even better for the crinkles as ironing flattens them out too much. Rayon is a fabric which really suits the D.A. climate. I put my hair up and added a metallic Dollar Tree headband and wore my thrift shop silver vintage bracelet and my Goodwill black satin ballet flats. (And again, who knew but me- and now, YOU.) Outfit total = $5 pants/shirt $5??/Scarf $1/headband $1/bracelet $2/shoes $5 = total of @ less than $20. Not bad.
I also discovered they were having a bookseller at the library where we held the event, and being a book addict, scanned the shelves, and brought home 10 very nice paperbacks for $.50 each!
There also was a raffle associated with the event, and as the odds looked good, I entered and WON a package with a dress,earrings, and a nice bracelet! - I learned from a woman's magazine years ago that you should always enter "local" contests as the odds are better - and sure, enough, as soon as I put that principle into practice, I, who had never won anything, started to win prizes. I even won new TV once at the opening of a fancy drugstore!
After the event we broke down, and I saved some flowers from the arrangements that they had had - which otherwise would have ended up in the trash. I love fresh flowers and greenery and try to get them whenever they are a good deal - and free is always good. I find that if I take them home and re-cut and re-arrange them, I can make nice arrangements that will often last a week afterwards.
I am known among my friends for not being able to throw anything away - One buddy said, "Watch her, she will take home everything." Not quite, but I did recycle some tissue paper besides the flowers and some leftovers. And we pored the excess cold tea into a jug and took that home, too.
I have also helped out over the years with other events my friend has organized - putting final touches on the flower arrangements and so on. That event was quite posh and in the back garden of a Beverly Hills home built on the model of the Petit Transom palace! (and I ended up with skin care samples and pens and a magazine subscription!) Who knew that self-taught flower arranging would turn out to be such a useful skill?
I also sometimes can cut the roses from our little garden plots here at the apartment. We have a bed of mint, too!
I was really there as part of the choir for the Celtic Service they had. I have really gotten so much pleasure out of all my music over the years. I hadn't sung for a while in a choral group, and it was really nice to get back into - and with such an accomplished bunch, too! Now that's a frugal pleasure. Sometimes they even pay YOU.
And home in the evening, I realized from the reaction from my muscles that an added benefit had been a bit of a WORKOUT. (I recently saw an article entitled "Is your housecleaned making you fat?") Let's remember that any activity, housecleaning included,can get you moving...And I was in a lovely shaded garden area, which made it quite nice - and cool...
Lots of freebies and deals and frugalista goings on!
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Inexpensive, close fun!
Tuesday, June 09, 2009 | By horseXtreme
As said in the information, I really want to be entertained, but do not know what to do for fun. I need to find inexpensive, close fun that is easily accessed from Arapahoe County/Douglas County. Thank you!
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09 Chiefs
Friday, March 20, 2009 | By HersheyBar
Hi Chief fans. The season has yet to begin but I am ready. We now have a new coach and GM, a few new players which should make an impact. We have a 3rd round draft pick that I think will help also. I will be keeping this blog going. Feel free to add to it as I would like some opinions from around the US just not from a KC view.
A little about me. I am 52 years old or close to it. Been a fan since the early 90's. Season ticket holder for I don't know how many years but it has been several. I go to the draft day partys at Arrowhead and also go to the Training Camps. This one should be interesting with new coaches and players. I live in a small town, work for the IRS, and have retiered from the military. I am also a huge Jayhawk fan so don't go there MU fans. LOL
Thanks for reading.
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Keep those coffee/meal cards!
Friday, January 16, 2009 | By freya1970
My friend and I are meeting after work for dinner and neither of us can figure out where we want to go. I looked through my wallet and looked for any meal cards or coupons I might have. I discovered that TWO of my coffee cards are full, which means I get to have a free coffee in two spots: one place which is near the farmers market where I go on Saturdays and another place right downtown with incredible coffee! So although I didn't find any free meal cards or deals, I now have two saved up coffees for future coffee dates. I do have one card for EVERY coffee place in town so it's fun to discover my freebies when I look through my wallet!
As for our dinner plans, I even looked online for restaurant coupons and have come up with nothing. The fact that I am vegan and he doesn't eat red meat limits our restaurant choices...I wish i lived in a big city again sometimes! When I visit my home city or another large city where a friend lives, i can eat so healthfully for VERY cheap! Sadly I live in a place where people's idea of a good meal is pizza or burgers. :( Buying a cheap healthy meal here seems next to impossible.
I might suggest a local Syrian place which has vegan meal plates for $8 including taxes and coffee or tea! Otherwise we're stuck going to Burger King for a veggie burger/fries for $6. I probably won't opt for that as I am trying to keep my figure since i need to fit into my bikini next month for my Mexico trip! :D
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Huzzah for Ren Faires!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008 | By pamphyila
It's getting to be outdoor festival weather and I entertained at my first Renaissance Faire - down in Hermosa Beach. It was a charming, little faire - my favorite type. And very family-friendly.
Ren Faires are really great for children. There is entertainment and the little boys can wave fake swords and dress up like pirates - and the little girls long skirts and tiaras, if they like. There usually are games for them to play or treasure hunts and the like. The areas are enclosed, which gives them a degree of security, and the Faire folk are usually very friendly.
I play period music on the autohharp, recorder, and folk harp and sing. We brought a basket of rhythm instruments - little drums, tamborines, shakers, and a xylophone for the kids to play with and had a rhythm band. I love rhythm bands and don't know why they have gone out of style - great introductory musical practice.
Of course, I think the best and most economical way to participate in the Faires is to become a participant - either by being an entertainer or as a member of a "Guild" or group that sets up camp and dresses and acts in a period manner. You can go all out in terms of dress - but here are some budget tips:
- Dress "organic" - make sure your clothes are made out of cotton or wool. Preferably in nubby or rough textures. Synthetics can pass if they are really good fakes. People do wear vegan vinyl boots and belts, etc.
- Wear a hat - It covers your hair, and you will need it for the sun. A straw one is just right for the summer - but you can also wear felt and crocheted hats/caps. Think of putting on a colorful band, and some flowers or feathers.
- You can usually get away with a simple pleasant costume, that is for the females - a full-length peasant skirt, with a petticoat, if desired; and a peasant blouse. No collars or button closings. Gathered necks prefered. The skirt can be of Indian gauze, kettle cloth or even light blue denim - so raid your closet.
- They wore bodices - so look for vests to put over your peasant blouse - or use a leather belt.
- For men - an "organic" tunic, belt, and full blousey pants.
- Shoes - wear sandals or slippers.
- Then there is the decoration. Long-time Ren Faires participants pile on the necklaces ( men, too) and pin "favors" on their hats, bodices, etc. They also wear bags connected to their belts.
- Fans are nice if it's hot.
- Ethnic clothing and ethnic embroidery are nice accents. So an Indian shirt will make a nice top.
- It's so much easy since "boho" is in style - as there are lots of choices out there & probably in your closet.
Of course, there are purists out there dressed in authentic reproductions of period garb - but it's not necessary. I don't know how they stand those clothes in the summer heat, anyway.
The best way to enjoy it is to get dressed up and spend the day. Listen to the music. Watch the jugglers and the dancers - Eat the food - or bring a picnic. You can save by bringing your own water or drinks. We like to have ice tea - it's good and inexpensive. You can bring a container or just have ice water and add powdered instant.
The participants can even camp - gratis - on the faire site. We have done that, and as faires are usually in pretty places, it adds to the experience. (You could use your regular tent, as rules relax after hours.)
So all in all - we had a lovely weekend by the sea - made enough tips to pay for the food - and earned some $, too. That's what I call a win/win situation.
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Gala Glam vs. prom dress
Friday, October 05, 2007 | By pamphyila
I love dressing up - it's the little girl in me who used to play with dolls - My mother used to say that the dolls were better dressed than we were! And I am a performer and I live in Hollywood - so over the years I have developed the habit of collecting pieces of fancy clothing when I run into them and they are real bargains. Sometimes they sit in the closet for a while - but almost all of them get worn, eventually!
Well, last night was such an evening. Through friends who work at the Los Angeles Music Center we got invited to the gala opening at Disney Hall of the L.A. Symphony season - a black tie event! And, I had just the thing to wear....No you are wondering what this has to DO with frugality - well - for one thing, the tix were FREE. (on the internet the tix were $1,500 to $10,000!!). It was a performance by Essa Pekka Salonen, the L.A. Philharmonic and the famed American opera diva, Renee Fleming. Whew. What a beautiful concert. (And we parked in an adjacent parking lot for $8.00 instead of the Disney Hall's $18.00.)
I wore a fabulous gold brocade jacket that I had picked up a year ago in a resale shop in Santa Barbara - I think it was on sale - It is actually the sort of material they make obis out of, and just gorgeous. I wore that over an empire waist black jersey dress I had gotten at my local Out of the Closet (I think it was even new) for about $10 and shoes from my shoe archive - and a necklace I had splurged on at an Oxnard craft faire - and my 99 Cent Store earrings and a purse from an Oxnard thrift shop, a ring I had gotten at HSN.
It was, as my husband said, the $200 outfit - but I was holding my own again the thousands of dollars gowns of the rich gala ladies - so much so, that I was ushered into the VIP area and treated to free champagne! It was fascinating to observe all those people - more so because I am an actress, and I catalogue people to draw upon later. Who knows if I will play a rich socialite some day soon?
It was like being Cinderella at the ball, and I really did enjoy myself. Who needs a prom?
But it underlines what I have said about prom dresses and gala attire in general. I had acquired the pieces separately, with a mind to building an outfit (or 2 or 3) - at a bargain price. I didn't have to pay hundreds of dollars for a polyester dress I would never wear again! I would rather invest in these pieces, which I can wear over and over. ( I have a silk brocade smoking jacket I got for $35 which I wore to the opera, and has many more wearings in it. I have a beaded black shirt, I have also worn to the opera with black pants.)
I have a collection of jewelry to choose from to accessorize my outfit(s), too. I even have a copper sequined jacket which was a steal which I haven't WORN yet. But I will...
And I can do my own hair and makeup - that comes from working in the theatre...Actually when I do it, it turns out better than any makeup artist's job, because I know my face better than they do.
So all of this is possible on a shoestring by developing your own taste and skill! And at the last minute, too. So remember that girls when you are whining about prom dresses... and it will serve you well later when you have to do glam on a budget.
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