HOW TO GET RID OF THE DULL
Scissors and blades that is... I can't help you in your personal life if you fall into the hum-drums.
Here are some easy tricks to fixing dull scissors, cut into folded layers of aluminium foil--it really does work. This is a great thing for specialty scissors like pinking shears or scrapbooking . You can also feed some foil through your paper shredder to sharpen the cutting surfaces. I would also recommend following your foil cuts with a similar technique using wax paper which helps to lubricate the surface after sharpening.
Do you find your coffee grinder not doing the job? Put in uncooked rice (any kind will do, but long grain seems to be best) and give it a few seconds in the chopper. You can also use this trick for your blender and your food processor to hone those blades and clean them simultaneously!
So, get to it... CHOP CHOP!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Tip of the Day
Sorry y'all that we've been absent for a week or so. Lots of personal change, family events, and of course the spring holidays have kepts us BUSY!! Believe it or not, Julie and Rebecca volunteered at a local "Easter Egg Hunt" that had 13,000 - 15,000 people in attendance! Rebecca has also gotten a job offer, but more to come on that later when it is in the bag (so to speak).
Okay, on to business....
OIL, OIL, and MORE OIL
Not Texas Tea or the "sweet crude" that costs more than an arm and leg these days, but BABY OIL or BATH OIL. Here are a few uses that you may or may not know that can really make a huge difference in your life.
- Use a drop or two for your hair--believe it or not this works GREAT for straightening hair! But you have to be very careful to not get too much or you look like you never washed your hair
- Use a few drops on your stainless sink (or appliances) to shine and fill in any scratches
- Put a few drops on a clean rag and shine your shoes
- Spray on tires for an instant shine
- You can even use it as furniture polish and to help lubricate sticking drawers
- Use a drop on zippers that stick or seem to get caught
Most baby/bath oils are a mix of natural/mineral oils so these are eco-friendly and work wonders on many items!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Tip of the Day
A Sweet Treat!
Strawberries are hitting their peak here in sunny Floriday and we LOVE our strawberries! We even have a weekend festival devoted to the red juicies (Plant City Strawberry Festival--check it out). Here is an easy way to enjoy your berries with no prep required!
This "recipe" was shared with me by a dear friend from Oklahoma who has fond childhood memories of eating them this way.
After washing strawberries, dip them in sour cream and then brown sugar. Pop them in your mouth and enjoy the taste dichotomy. When I serve this treat everyone gets individual dipping bowls of sour cream and brown sugar.
Strawberries are hitting their peak here in sunny Floriday and we LOVE our strawberries! We even have a weekend festival devoted to the red juicies (Plant City Strawberry Festival--check it out). Here is an easy way to enjoy your berries with no prep required!
This "recipe" was shared with me by a dear friend from Oklahoma who has fond childhood memories of eating them this way.
After washing strawberries, dip them in sour cream and then brown sugar. Pop them in your mouth and enjoy the taste dichotomy. When I serve this treat everyone gets individual dipping bowls of sour cream and brown sugar.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Tip of the Day
Shower Leak Solved!
I have fought with my shower since moving in almost two years ago. I noticed the first week I lived here that there was always water on the floor after showering. I tried several "fixes":
I have fought with my shower since moving in almost two years ago. I noticed the first week I lived here that there was always water on the floor after showering. I tried several "fixes":
- new shower head
- new shower curtain
- new shower liner
- installed one of those self-adhesive shower/tub edges
but nothing solved the problem. I'd still find my bath mat completely soaked when I got out of the shower!
My soultion came like so many, a complete accident. This weekend after cleaning out my tub I sat there thinking I could surely "build a better mousetrap" to fix the problem, but I couldn't really figure anything out. I left my sponge on the edge of the tub and went about my life.
Next shower, I noticed that the floor was dry. It was the sponge! DUH! So, that is my solution for leaking shower/tub combinations. Leave a dry sponge at the corners and make sure you wring them out and let them dry before your next shower.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Tip Of the Day
Pancake Perfection!
One of the most enduring mysteries of the universe for many cooks is cooking the perfect pancake! If you are like me you have often wondered, why the first one turns out to be a flop and your last one is burnt on the outside and runny on the inside?
Well here is one solution you might try next time.
Heat your pan or griddle for 10 minutes (yes, 10 minutes) before pouring batter. I have an electric stovetop that I set at "3 1/2", not low but not medium heat either. Watch for bubbles to form along the margins before attempting your flip and make sure you have your spatula well greased.
Here is another hint for the pancake challenged...my favorite guilty treat, I use Jiffy Brand Blueberry muffin mix--the directions are included on the back of the box and I have yet to have a batch be inedible and I eat them without needing syrup or butter!
One of the most enduring mysteries of the universe for many cooks is cooking the perfect pancake! If you are like me you have often wondered, why the first one turns out to be a flop and your last one is burnt on the outside and runny on the inside?
Well here is one solution you might try next time.
Heat your pan or griddle for 10 minutes (yes, 10 minutes) before pouring batter. I have an electric stovetop that I set at "3 1/2", not low but not medium heat either. Watch for bubbles to form along the margins before attempting your flip and make sure you have your spatula well greased.
Here is another hint for the pancake challenged...my favorite guilty treat, I use Jiffy Brand Blueberry muffin mix--the directions are included on the back of the box and I have yet to have a batch be inedible and I eat them without needing syrup or butter!
This Blog's For YOU!
Welcome to the very first Domestic Tranquility posting!
Purpose
This blog is for women who do too much and sometimes find themselves without adequate resources (time, information, fellow friends or relatives). The information you'll find here will be short and sweet and hopefully help you in your journey to living a more balanced, healthy, and happy life!
Who We Are
Domestic Tranquility is the brain child of two friends, Julie and Rebecca, who have a passion to make life better than they found it. J & R are both in their mid-30s and live in Central Florida and have been friends for 20 years!
What You Will Find Here
Probably a little bit of everything. J & R have completely different educational and employment backgrounds but find common ground in women's issues and working toward a better future.
Purpose
This blog is for women who do too much and sometimes find themselves without adequate resources (time, information, fellow friends or relatives). The information you'll find here will be short and sweet and hopefully help you in your journey to living a more balanced, healthy, and happy life!
Who We Are
Domestic Tranquility is the brain child of two friends, Julie and Rebecca, who have a passion to make life better than they found it. J & R are both in their mid-30s and live in Central Florida and have been friends for 20 years!
What You Will Find Here
Probably a little bit of everything. J & R have completely different educational and employment backgrounds but find common ground in women's issues and working toward a better future.
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