Playdough

Hi!
My name is Hege and I'm a stay at home mom to four from Norway. Tama asked my if I would contribute to this blog, so I'll post now and then.

My kids love to play with playdough, but I think it's expensive to buy the real playdough...
So this weekend we made our own :)

1 cup flour
1 cup water
1 tablespoon oil
1 tablespoon powdered alum
1/2 cup salt
Food coloring

Mix all dry ingredients. Add oil and water. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until it has the consistency of mashed potatoes.
Remove from heat and pour it onto the table. If it is a bit sticky, knead in some more flour.
Divide into balls and add food color.

I multiplyed the recipe by 4, so we got two large lumps.
Store the playdough in a box with a lid or in zip lock bags.

Yours Hege

Stash Storage

**Just because I have used this post to specifically address Yarn storage, doesn't mean that this same idea can't be used for other obsessive hoarding. Feel free to use this idea for your rubber stamp collection, scrap-booking supplies, crochet supplies, or any other craft that you are into.**

Awesome Mom has a delimma. She has what we Knitters call a "stash" of yarn. Now most of you non-Knitters aren't going to understand this, but Knitters like to hoard yarn. This has been attributed to several things--fiber fumes that we find irresistable, friends who want us to buy more yarn than they are, LYS owners who really know how to suck you into purchasing yarn you didn't even know you needed, etc. Whatever the reason, it is possible to build up a REALLY big stash of yarn without even realizing how large it has become until you go to get into your closet to get clothes and discover the door won't open because it is blocked with an avalanche of yarn that has fallen from the over-stuffed shelves, or you start finding yarn stuffed in the shirt and jacket sleeves of clothes on the hangers.

So what can be done about this? If you have an understanding Hubby--like Mr. Fixes-It--who sees that he is really benefitting from this yarn obsession because you no longer complain about his tool collection, then I recommend storing your yarn in 6 qt. clear tubs (like "Rubbermaid"). There are many advantages to storing yarn this way, but here are the main ones:

1. You can see what yarn you have and it's easier to locate what you are looking for.

2. Bugs, like moths, can't get into your yarn because it is protected by plastic. They can eat through cardboard! And believe me!! there is nothing more upsetting than getting into your yarn and discovering it full of bugs!!! Especially if it's your angora stash!!

3. The plastic containers stack up really nice! This eliminates the avalanche episode in the closet.

4. Storing in plastic protects your yarn from moisture. I have had yarn stored in cardboard boxes that got wet and my white yarn got stained from the brown box! Not Happy!

The small skeins and balls fit really well into the 6 qt boxes and so will the long skeins, but I like to use this size--which is a 12 qt or 18 qt--to store my 450 yard sock yarn skeins. They stack in there really nice and you can see what you have at a glance.

If you have had bug problems or store yarn that has not been moth-proofed then I recommend putting a few drops of lavender or eucalyptus oil onto a paper towel and laying it over to the top of the yarn in the bucket. This is a tried-and-true way to repell those nasty little bugs and protect your yarn.

If you do not have an understanding hubby then I recommend using those Under-the-Bed storage tubs. That way he is less likely to EVER see how much yarn you have. Don't limit yourself to just your bed either. Each child has a bed...and they need to keep their toys and clothes out from under there so what better way to help them than to use the space under their beds for your yarn stash (just be sure to get some nice bed skirts that reach the floor). Now your yarn is out of plain sight, but when you need to look for yarn it is easily accessable and in a shallow, plastic container so nothing is buried at the bottom of some box.

Yours Truly,
Mrs. Know-It

Recycle tip of the week:

Did you color eggs for Easter this year? Then you probably have one of those cardboard egg cartons headed for the trash can pretty soon--I have two 18 pack ones that are about empty. Well with gardening season just around the corner, for some of us, here is a way to re-use those cartons.

Start by removing the lid of the carton. You can use the lid for this project also, but my focus is the little egg cups. Fill each little egg cup with a few tablespoons of potting soil, put three or four of your flower, tomato, or whatever small seeds you will be planting into each cup. Carefully water each cup full of soil and seeds until completely wet. Place entire thing into a large plastic zip-lock back and seal. Set in a sunny window. Check it every day for tiny plants to be growing. Once they start you will need to take the "planter" out of the plastic bag. You will need to water them at least twice a day--depending on the humidity in your house. Once the tiny plants have grown to be an inch or two tall you will need to transplant them into a larger container, like the ones you find in the gardening section. **Don't forget to "thin out" the weaker plants and keep the heartiest one or two.** If you are really into recycling, you saved your containers from the plants you bought for last years garden and you can transplant into those. The nice thing about these little egg cups is that the plant roots will grow right though the wall of the cup so there is no need to remove the plant and soil from the cup. Soak the egg carton with water then cut the egg cups apart and plant the entire thing into the next container.

Not only will this recycle your egg cartons (and last years plant containers), but it will save you a lot of money on those "already-started-plants" and starter kits from the nurseries and gardening boutiques.

Yours Truly,
Mrs. Know-It

Recipe for a Stomach Ache & Some Other Good Stuff

I am sure many of you out here have one formula or another for how to make a Stomach Ache, but I thought that since one of my favorite ways to make it happened yesterday I thought I would post my recipe.

Stomach Ache Serves 1 to infinity

Start by eating two full baskets of candy instead of breakfast. Really any candy will do, but a nice mix of chocolates, jelly beans in a variety of flavors, and some good tart candy works best.

Next, take 36 boiled eggs (best if they are colored first) and turn them into "deviled eggs"--see next recipe for Deviled Eggs.

Make sure and eat way too much ham with Mustard Sauce--again see recipe below--deviled eggs, fruit salad, and finish with strawberry cheesecake.

Once you are certain that your stomach can't hold one more bite, because you feel like it won't go in your mouth, get on your Ab-lounge and try to do inverted sit-ups. Going for a walk or doing jumping jacks will also shake the contents of your stomach up really well also.

Enjoy!

Deviled Eggs:

Peel hard boiled eggs and cut in half length-wise. Put yolks from eggs into a food processor bowl and to them add enough "Miracle Whip", mustard, vinegar, and a little bit of salt until the consistency of whipped potatoes and the flavor is tangy and good. I use "Miracle Whip" instead of Mayo because it gives just the right amount of zip to the flavor. I have tried it with Mayo, because I prefer Mayo to Miracle Whip on everything else, but it just doesn't have the right flavor.

***Be sure to add the ingredients a little at a time so that the consistency doesn't become too liquid. Also, be careful with the vinegar--a little bit goes a long way! I usually add it last.

Mustard Sauce:

1 Tbsp. butter

2 eggs

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 Tbsp. katsup

3 Tbsp. granulated sugar

3 Tbsp. prepared mustard

1/4 cup white vinegar

Melt butter in small sauce pan over medium low heat. In a small bowl beat eggs, sugars, mustard, and katsup. Gradually whisk in vinegar to egg/sugar mixture. Add this mixture to melted butter in the pan. Cook, stirring constantly over medium heat until thickened. Makes about 1 1/2 cups of sauce.

***Great with ham, hot dogs, and the little cockail sausages.***

This recipe was given to me by my mother-in-law.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Yours Truly,

Mrs. Know-It

Sharing Spaces

Annie asked: My garden shares the backyard with my dog. Do you have any ideas on how to keep the dog from damaging the new plants without having to build any extraneous fencing for sending her back to the pound?

Annie's question is really good! This is especially a problem if you have a large dog that likes to dig! In a matter of 10 minutes most of a good garden can be distroyed by a dog looking for the bone that he buried last fall in all that soft garden soil.

Of course the most permanent solution IS a fence. However, when another fence is not an option there are other things that can be done. These require effort and some extra garden maintence, but if done consistantly, are effective.



1. Most pet supply stores carry spray-on products that can be used to protect certain areas of your yard from wandering animals. You won't want to spray your plants with it of course because the chemicals may harm the plant or cause it's fruit to be inedible. So, carefully spray the perimeter of the entire garden area, while standing in the garden and spraying outwardly away from the plants. Make sure and really saturate the ground. This method is really good and the effects will last a couple of weeks depending on humidity and the amount of rain that you get. (Be sure to follow the spray bottles directions.)

2. If number one is too expensive, or more expensive than what you had in mind spending every couple of week, or if you live in an area where the nearest pet supply store is several hours away then this is a good alternative. In a regular spray bottle combine some ammonia, or chlorox, and water. ***NOTE***DO NOT COMBINE AMMONIA AND CHLOROX! the result is a poisonous gas that will make you very sick or cause death if you inhale the fumes.*** So, pick one OR the other and mix it about 1/3 parts chemical into to 2/3 parts water. Apply the same as you would for recommendation #1. Re-apply about every two weeks depending on humidity and weather.

3. This method is also effective and will benefit your plants and garden. Using chemical fertilizers and chemical bug and weed killers usually have a really good effect on keeping away dogs and cats as well. Be sure to apply them as directed on the specific packaging. We use a ground kill in our natural desert landscaping. The ground kill ensures that weeds do not come up in our rocks. Normally cats would love to use our yard for a litter box, but the ground kill keeps them away and we have not had one problem.

4. This is the method that I use every year. I will plant large tomato plants and corn on the perimeter of the garden. Tomato plants have a pungent repulsive smell--which is what the chemical sprays accomplish; a smell that animals don't like--and the corn, once it is a few weeks along make it difficult for dogs to find their way into the garden. Also placing some noise makers like bells, chimes, etc. will aid in keeping pets out of the garden area. I grow an organic garden and so I don't use any chemical fertilizers, bug spray, or weed killers. Occasionally I will combine this method with step number one if wandering cats decide to start using my nice soft garden soil for a bathroom. This method may not work for everyone in every situation, but it keeps my 100 lb rottweiler who is VERY fond of digging out of the garden. She HATES the tomato plants and won't even try to get past them if I want her to.

While your garden is small and the plants are young , if you have planted according to #4, I would start with #1 then once the plants mature you shouldn't have to apply the spray again.

PS: Make sure that your dog knows the garden area is off limits. When you are out planting, weeding, watering, and caring for your garden do not invite him to join you in or near the garden. Inviting him to be near you gives him the idea that it's OK for him to be in the garden with or without you. Dogs are smart and if they know the garden is off limits it makes the other methods even more effective!

Yours Truly
Mrs. Know-It

Introductions Are In Order

My name is Mrs. Know-It....not Mrs. Know-It-All as my husband Mr. Fixes-It likes to call me. I have been encouraged to start this blog by several friends who frequently call me to find out what time of year they should trim their roses, or what purpose eggs serve in cakes.

I have a very wide variety of experience in the cooking, gardening, and crafting areas and as a result have been called by that other woman's name who is much more famous for her cooking, gardening, etc. skills than I am. I certainly do not know EVERYTHING about EVERYTHING, but I do know a lot about a lot of things (and what I don't know I view as an exciting opportunity to learn more). I love cooking and come from a long line of very talented cooks. I love gardening and come from a long line of women with very "green thumbs". I also come from a long line of very talented seamstresses, knitters, crocheters, home decorators, clothing designers, painters, and other artists and crafters that I was instucted and taught by.

I intend to use this blog as a place to come for dinner ideas, party favors, gardening tips and tricks, quick gift ideas, specialty menus for holidays, and of course cleaning tips and tricks. I will attempt to address any questions you might have concerning any of these things. Have a recipe that you are wanting to try but you live at 8,ooo ft. elevation and want to know how to adjust the recipe? Serving Christmas dinner at your house this year and want something really special? Need advice on when to plant those tulip bulbs or trim your roses? Can't find a pattern for those really good dish scrubbies that you found at the school craft bazaar? That's what I am here for!

I am really excited to be able to share all of this fun stuff with you!

Yours Truly,
Mrs. Know-It