Useful Tip # 11- Traveling

Since summer is almost here that means it's time for VACATION!!! And many of you will be flying to your vacation destination. Being someone who flies frequently one of the things I've seen and learned from is that 80% of peoples luggage is a dark color such as black or navy blue. And due to this it's sometimes hard to pick out your luggage. Most people grab a bag while it's still on the belt and are trying to read the name tag on it to verify it is there's for sure. Recently I bought new luggage (hot pink with black hearts) so that there was no way that I wouldn't know it was mine. So far I haven't seen any like it. But before this I was one of those people with a dark navy blue suitcase. So here's a simple trick to be able to spot your luggage on the belt without having to read the name tag. Just pick out a nice brightly colored or patterned ribbon that you may already have at the house or just run to your local craft store or Walmart and pick up a spool. Cut off a long enough piece to tie in several tight knots around one of the handles or zipper pulls. Don't pick just a solid color as this doesn't stand out as well and I've seen several bags with the same color ribbon. This should help you spot your luggage quickly on your next trip. Of course always verify for sure with your name tag that it is your luggage. Happy Travels!!!!

Useful Tip # 10 - Eggs

Eggs are not something that I have go bad on me very often. But if you are questioning whether an egg is still good or not try this trick.

To determine whether an egg is fresh, immerse it in a pan of cool, salted water. If it sinks, it is fresh - if it rises to the surface, throw it away.

Also if you are unsure an egg is bad and you are going to use it in a recipe crack it into a seperate bowl first. This way if it does turn out to be bad you only have to throw the egg away not the entire dish. This is also useful to prevent any unwanted shell in your dish.

Happy Cooking!

Useful Tip # 9 - Clothes Dryer

When drying your clothes normally you check your lint trap after every few loads. If the lint has built up you remove it, insert the filter back into the dryer, and dry the next load. One thing I learned a while back is even though you think removing the lint frees up the lint screen after time there is hidden build up on there that can damage your dryer or even create a fire.

If you've never done this take your lint screen out and take it to the bathtub. Run some water on it. Does the water fall thru or is there a layer of film on the screen that doesn't allow the water to fall thru. If so imagine what is happening when drying your clothes. If the water doesn't pass thru easily it's time to wash your lint screen.

At least every six months you should pull out your dryer screen and wash it with water and a scrub brush to remove that filmy layer. Not only does it help in drying your clothes but will also cut down on costly repairs on your dryer and possibly a fire.

Happy Cleaning.

Useful Tip # 8- Buying Bread

Someone sent this to me a long time ago and I printed it out and have a very ratty copy of it always stored in my wallet to reference. I am one of those squeezers but if I'm not sure and can't find a "use by" date on the package then I resort to this method. Take it for what you will.
***********************************************************************

When you buy bread in the grocery store, have you ever wondered which is the freshest? Many people "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.



Each day has a different color twist tie. They are:



Monday = Blue

Tuesday = Green

Thursday = Red

Friday = White

Saturday = Yellow



So if today was Thursday, you would want a red twist tie -- not a white tie which is Fridays (almost a week old)!



To remember the colors of the twist tie, they go alphabetically by color - Blue-Green-Red-White-Yellow, Monday through Saturday, skipping Wednesdays.

Useful Tip # 7 - Storing Onions

A friend of mine gave me some home grown Vidalia onions the other day which got us talking about how to store them. Normally I keep my onions in the fridge in the vegetable box. My grandmother stores hers in the pantry in an open bin. I've tried that but I haven't had much luck with shelf life in my pantry (not that I haven't found rotting onions in my fridge). So we were talking about her grandmother's trick that I kinda liked and would love to use if I had somewhere to hang them. Her grandma would take an old pair of pantyhose and you put one onion down the leg and tie a knot, then the second and knot it and so on and so forth. When you needed an onion you just cut it off below the knot. She stored her onions in the basement which is where I have the problem. Living near the coast means no basement for me. But I really liked this idea and it would be great for that gardener who harvests too many onions to use before they go bad. The theory behind the pantyhose is that air can circulate all around the entire onion therefore keeping it dry. So if you can use this tip great. If not maybe pass it along to someone who can!! I'm sure if anything it'd turn out to be a good conversation topic if someone saw your pantyhose full of onions hanging from the rafters!! Post any comments below!!

Useful Tip # 6 - Cleaning Glass

Cleaning glass such as mirrors and windows in one of my least favorite cleaning chores (my first is scrubbing showers or tubs). But a useful and resourceful way to clean your windows/mirrors without using up half a roll of paper towels or a lint ridden rag is to use newspaper. Just spray on your window cleaner (whatever brand you prefer) and then use the newspaper as your "rag". It'll shine up that glass no problem. And you don't have any lint left behind. This is my neighbors tip and she does it all the time. I've seen her use it and it really does work. It's a tip I need to put into practice for myself. So give it a shot and see what you think. If you try it and like it or hate it post your comments below!! Happy Cleaning!

Recipe # 4- Strawberry Margarita Cheescake Trifle

This is a great recipe I got from my Pampered Chef consultant that we used at my party. I do recommend using the Pampered Chef Trifle bowl but any trifle bowl you have will do just fine. I made my own angel food cake for this. Well from a box. And when I told my grandmother this she was like "Don't you have a Betty Crocker Cookbook" which I do and she said well the recipe for it was in there! Needless to say I'll know that for next time although even though I love to bake if Kroger has an already made angel food cake for $1.99 I'm still buying it. Because it was actually cheaper than the box of mix...go figure. So anyway here's the recipe which I think you'll really like. You can omit the booze too but I used the Triple Sec and it made it that much better. Happy Cooking!!

************************************************************************************

Strawberry Margarita Cheesecake Trifle
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 tub (12 oz) Cool Whip (thawed)
1 prepared Angel Food Cake (from the bakery section or prepared Pound Cake (frozen Sara Lee works well)
2 quarts fresh strawberries
3 tablespoons sugar
3 limes
Optional - 3 tbs Grand Marnier or Triple Sec
Reserve 3 larger firm strawberries for garnish
Slice remaining strawberries and place in a bowl with 3 tbs sugar and optional liquor. Set aside.
Cut cake into cubes, squeeze 1 lime over cubes & set aside.
Mix together cream cheese, confectioners sugar, sour cream vanilla. Fold in 1 cup Cool Whip. Zest 1 lime w/ Micro plane Grater and fold in.
Fill Easy Accent Decorator with remaining cool whip.
Layer cake cubes, strawberries, cream cheese filling, repeat.
Garnish top with Cool Whip, strawberry slices, lime slices, add'l lime zest. Gorgeous!!!!!!