AAA offers free 'tipsy tow' service on New Year's Eve

Once again, this New Year's eve, AAA is offering Tipsy Tow.

Twelve Days of Christmas (song)

The Twelve Days of Christmas" is an English Christmas carol that enumerates a series of increasingly grand gifts given on each of the twelve days of Christmas. Textual evidence suggests the song, first published in England in 1780, may be French in origin.

Winter Solstice 2011

Via http://earthsky.org, http://www.timeanddate.com and http://www.huffingtonpost.com

The 2011 December solstice takes place on Thursday, December 22 at 5:30 Universal Time. That’s Wednesday, December 21 at 11:30 p.m. CST. Officially the first day of winter, the winter solstice occurs when the North Pole is tilted 23.5 degrees away from the sun. This is the longest night of the year, meaning that despite the cold winter, the days get progressively longer after the winter solstice until the summer solstice in 2012.

What is a solstice? The earliest humans knew that the sun’s path across the sky, the length of daylight, and the location of the sunrise and sunset all shifted in a regular way throughout the year. They built monuments, such as Stonehenge, to follow the sun’s yearly progress.

The end of the world in 2012? The 2012 December solstice will be on December 21, 2012. Many prophecies about the end of the world surround this date because it corresponds to the last day of the Mayan calendar.

Celebrations The winter solstice is celebrated by many people around the world as the beginning of the return of the sun, and darkness turning into light. The Talmud recognizes the winter solstice as "Tekufat Tevet." In China, the "Dongzhi" Festival is celebrated on the Winter Solstice by families getting together and eating special festive food.

One of the most famous celebrations of the winter solstice in the world today takes place in the ancient ruins of Stonehenge, England. Thousands of druids and pagans gather there to chant, dance and sing while waiting to see the spectacular sunrise.

Until the 16th century, the winter months were a time of famine in northern Europe. Most cattle were slaughtered so that they wouldn't have to be fed during the winter, making the solstice a time when fresh meat was plentiful. Most celebrations of the winter solstice in Europe involved merriment and feasting. In pre-Christian Scandinavia, the Feast of Juul, or Yule, lasted for 12 days celebrating the rebirth of the sun god and giving rise to the custom of burning a Yule log.

In ancient Rome, the winter solstice was celebrated at the Feast of Saturnalia, to honor Saturn, the god of agricultural bounty. Lasting about a week, Saturnalia was characterized by feasting, debauchery and gift-giving. With Emperor Constantine's conversion to Christianity, many of these customs were later absorbed into Christmas celebrations.

House-Wise

"Make yourself at home"

Twelve Days of Christmas

So, my family. We're non-traditional. Of course, that's pretty obvious. But I'm talking about Christmas.

See, I was an only child. And a very spoiled one at that....especially at Christmas. Under the tree was always packed with gifts. All for me. Of course, to be honest, I never got anything anytime during the year. Only Christmas. If I wanted something in March.....I had to wait 'til Christmas. So anyway, Christmas morning. Boatload of gifts. All wrapped up for me to open. Hundreds! ....OK, not literally, just kidding. Maybe. ;-\

Homemade Air Fresheners

Here are a couple crafts that you can make for yourself, or make a few for Holiday gifts this year for family and friends. More crafts for the holidays to come.

Homemade Aromatic 

Simple home air fresheners

Make any room in the house smell fresh for the holidays or any time of year. Take a small, clean glass jar and put a few cotton balls inside. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, such as eucalyptus, peppermint, cinnamon, orange or clove oil, and punch holes in the top of the jar and place jar under a bed, in a closet, near a cat litter box or any other place that needs a fragrant addition. You can decorate the jars by painting the lids with craft paints or nail polish, add some glitter, etc. This is a nice project for young children who can then give them as gifts to grandparents or teachers.

Favorite Recipe Sites

Today I thought I'd share my favorite recipe sites. I do have a recipe page here on my blog with links to not only recipes, but to sites as well. However, I thought for those who never have clicked on the 'Recipe' tab up top, that a post with a list of favs would be a good idea. That, plus, the page is still unfinished. ;-)

FAVORITE RECIPE SITES

Baking Bites...Sooooo yummy! There is a plethora of foods here. The pumpkin cupcakes are to die for!

Baking 911 ...For the cake maker like me! Tips & tricks on fondant, decorations, fillings, icings.

Wrens Cottage ...Cakes, candies, cookies, etc. LOTS of goodies.

The Bark ...Even the pooches need some pampering. Recipes that are for the dogs!. ;-)

Hungry Girl ...Hungry girl has some awesome alternative recipes for those who want to eat healthier or lose some weight.

Recipe Link ...Another site with copycat recipes from restaurants. They also have other recipes as well..

Cake Mix Doctor ...The Cake Mix Doctor. Get better tasting cakes from a cake mix. Have the book too.

CD Kitchen ...Over 100,000 recipes in their online database.

Recipe Girl ...Lots of recipes. Yum, yum, yum. Wish I had time to try them all!

Conversions ...Volume to weight conversion. Every cook & baker needs this!

All Recipes ...One the THE best online recipe site around!

Betty Crocker ...Who doesn't know Betty Crocker?!

Meals.com ...Meals.com is actually Nestle.

Pillsbury...Pillsbury. Need I say more?

Pillsbury Baking ...Pillsbury baking. Not sure why there are two different websites.

Recipe Zaar ...RecipeZaar. One of my favorites.

Taste of Home ...I have never had a disappointing recipe from these guys. I've subscribed to their mags for over 15 years. Love 'em!

Color Coded Bread

Color coded bread...did you know?

When you go to buy bread in the grocery store, have you ever wondered which is the freshest, so you "squeeze" it? 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 (even the ones with the plastic clips have different colors).

They are: Monday = Blue, Tuesday = Green, Thursday = Red, Friday = White and Saturday = Yellow.

21 Ways to Remove Crayon from Walls

Kids. Crayons. Kids WITH crayons. Who hasn't had their young child (usually in the toddler age) color on the wall? If you haven't, then...then....well, you just haven't lived! The stress, the anger, the, "Oh, no, what do I do?!" Whew. Just thinking about it makes me shudder. Well, no fear, here are 21 different ways to remove that beautiful artwork your 2 yr old just drew on your living room walls! WAIT! Don't forget to take a picture of the artistry first!


REMOVING CRAYON MARKS FROM WALLS

Coke is for more than drinking.....

Who knew?

OK, so you prolly did that experiment in school where you put a nail in a bottle of Coca-Cola, only to come back the next day & see the rust removed. Then to come back in a week and see the entire nail dissolved. Pretty freaky huh. And we guzzle this stuff by the gallon!

Holiday Mail for Heroes 2011

It's that time of year again. A time when I ask my fellow bloggers, readers, and facebookers to open your heart. I'm not asking alot. The only monetary contribution needed from you is postage. It's the Holiday Mail for Heroes program through the American Red Cross. All I ask, is that each one of you send two cards following this program, for our soldiers over-seas. Two. 

These soldiers are spending the holiday (for many, it's not their first one) away from their friends and family. These Dads, Moms, Daughters, and Husbands will not at home for the holidays. War doesn't take Christmas off. A simple card can help ease the heartache for these young men & women who are serving their country for YOUR freedom. Two cards. It's not alot I'm asking for.

If you have children in school, it would be a wonderful project for the entire class! Contact their teacher. I did last year, and one school sent almost 200 cards. The other even more! (Here's my post from last year) Thank you very much everyone!

The following is from the American Red Cross website, and details the program.

Holiday Mail for Heroes Program

The holiday season is just around the corner and it’s time again to start thinking about being part of the 2011 American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes. For a fifth year, American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes are partnering to ensure all Americans have an opportunity to send a touch of home this holiday season to members of our U.S. military, veterans and their families, many of whom will be far away from home this holiday season.

Starting this fall and throughout the holiday season, the Red Cross is working with Pitney Bowes, a mail stream technology company, to collect and distribute holiday cards to American service members, veterans and their families in the United States and around the world.

The process is very simple and takes no time at all - All you need is a pen and piece of paper to share your appreciation for the sacrifices members of the U.S. Armed Forces make to protect our freedoms The Holiday Mail for Heroes mail box is open and ready to receive for your cards.

Please send all mail to:

Holiday Mail For Heroes

P.O. Box 5456

Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Sending a “touch of home” to American men and women who serve our country is the perfect way to express your appreciation and support during the holiday season.

Card Guidelines:
Every card received will be screened for hazardous materials by Pitney Bowes and then reviewed by Red Cross volunteers working around the country.
Please observe the following guidelines to ensure a quick reviewing process:

• All cards being sent in for 2011 Holiday Mail For Heroes program should be postmarked no later than Friday, December 9, 2011.
• Ensure that all cards are signed.
• Use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member.” Cards addressed to specific individuals can not be delivered through this program.
• Only cards are being accepted. Do not send letters.
• Do not include email or home addresses on the cards, as the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.
• Do not include inserts of any kind, including photos, as these items will be removed during the reviewing process.
• Participants should limit the number of cards they submit to 25 from any one person or 50 from any one class or group. If you are mailing a large quantity, please bundle the cards and place them in large mailing envelopes. Each card does not need its own envelope, as envelopes will be removed from all cards before distribution.
• Please refrain from sending holiday cards with glitter. Many of these cards will be delivered to military and veterans medical facilities and the glitter could interfere with a patient's recovery.

The Military Families Ministry (MFM) also has their Stocking for Soldiers project. Blog post is here for those in Colorado & Pennsylvania.

House-Wise

"Make yourself at home"

Holiday Mail for Heroes 2011

Sorry this post was royally messed up. 

Click here to read the post. 

Thank you for your interest!!!!

Vinegar.....Economical & Natural (Cont. Pt.4 )

Part four?! A four-part series on vinegar? Seriously? Yup!  But, alas, this is the end. I have posted hundreds of tips in these four posts, and it doesn't even come close to what vinegar can do. It cleans, it scrubs, it even tastes yummy. There are so many uses, I cannot post them all.  If these four posts have you interested in uses of vinegar, and want to learn more, there are many books published on the subject. Check out your local library, bookstore, or here, online at Amazon. There is also a plethora of websites out there with loads of information on vinegar. Just do a Google search. :-)

So I'm wrapping up this party with tips on using vinegar for your health, body, your garden, and laundry. Oooooh.


Vinegar for health & body... (House-Wise Tips)

Vinegar.....Economical & Natural (Cont. Pt.3 )

Vinegar. Can we really have a third part to this series involving vinegar? We sure can! Vinegar has lots of uses....even more than I've listed on these three posts. So far I've covered cooking, your car & your pets.  What's left you ask? Cleaning!  Health! Laundry! And garden!  Wow. You can use it for almost everything.  OK, that's exaggerating, but there are literally thousands of uses for this stuff. Books have been written. Websites have been dedicated. All to vinegar.

But enough with the chatter.  Lets delve into cleaning for this part of our series.....


Vinegar for cleaning.... (House-Wise Tips)

To shine chrome sink fixtures that have a lime buildup, use a paste made of 2 tablespoons salt and 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar.

Make your own scouring cleanser by combining 1/4 cup baking soda with 1 tablespoon liquid detergent. Add just enough white distilled vinegar to give it a thick but creamy texture.

Clean counter tops and make them smell sweet again with a cloth soaked in undiluted white distilled vinegar.

Clean and deodorize a drain by pouring in 1 cup baking soda, then one cup hot white distilled vinegar. Let this sit for 5 minutes or so, then run hot water down the drain.

Deodorize the garbage disposal by pouring in 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup hot white distilled vinegar. Let sit for 5 minutes then run hot water down the disposal.

Deodorize and clean the garbage disposal with white distilled vinegar ice cubes. Make them by freezing full-strength white distilled vinegar in an ice cube tray. Run several cubes down the disposal while flushing with cold water.

Clean the microwave by mixing 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Bring it to a rolling boil inside the microwave. Baked-on food will be loosened, and odors will disappear. Wipe clean.

Clean the shelves and walls of the refrigerator with a half-and-half solution of water and white distilled vinegar.

Cut the grime on the top of the refrigerator with a paper towel or cloth and full-strength white distilled vinegar.

Avoid the bad smell when you heat up a newly cleaned oven by using a sponge soaked in diluted white distilled vinegar for the final rinse.

To clean a grease splattered oven door window, saturate it with full-strength white distilled vinegar. Keep the door open for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping with a sponge.

Remove soap buildup and odors from the dishwasher by pouring a cup of white distilled vinegar inside the empty machine and running it through a whole cycle. Do monthly.

To prevent good glassware from getting etched by minerals, wash then spray with full-strength white distilled vinegar. Give the glasses a hot water rinse before letting them dry or drying them with a towel.

For cloudy glassware, soak paper towels or a cloth in full-strength white distilled vinegar and wrap around the inside and outside of the glass. Let sit awhile before rinsing clean.

Get rid of lime deposits in a tea kettle by adding 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the water and letting it sit overnight. If more drastic action is needed, boil full-strength white distilled vinegar in the kettle a few minutes, let cool and rinse with plain water.

Remove mineral deposits from coffee makers with white distilled vinegar. Fill the water reservoir with 1 cup or more of white distilled vinegar and run it through a whole cycle. Run it once or twice more with plain water to rinse clean. (Check the owners’ manual first.)

Remove stains from coffee and teacups by scrubbing them gently with equal parts of salt (or baking soda) and white distilled vinegar. Rinse clean.

For stained and smelly plastic food containers, wipe them with a cloth dampened with white distilled vinegar.

Remove odors from a lunch box by placing inside a slice of bread that has been soaked in white distilled vinegar. Leave overnight.

Remove ugly film in narrow-necked glass jars, flower vases, and bottles by letting undiluted white distilled vinegar sit in them for a few hours. Add a little rice or sand and shake vigorously to loosen stubborn stains. Repeat if necessary.

To clean tarnished brass, copper, and pewter, use a paste with equal amounts of white distilled vinegar and table salt.

Make a metal cleanser by adding enough white distilled vinegar to 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar to make a paste. Rub it on and let it dry on the surface. Wash it off and dry with a soft cloth.

Polish brass and copper with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of ketchup and 1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar. Rub it on with a clean cloth until dry and shiny.

Remove dark stains on an aluminum pot by boiling a mixture of 1 cup white distilled vinegar and 1 cup hot water.

Discourage ants by spraying undiluted white distilled vinegar outside doorways and windowsills, around appliances and wherever you find the pests coming in.

Get rid of fruit flies by setting out a small dish of undiluted white distilled vinegar.

Clean the wheel of a can opener using white distilled vinegar and an old toothbrush.

Remove the smell of spoiled food from a refrigerator by first rinsing the area with soap and water. Spray surfaces with full-strength white distilled vinegar and wipe them down with a damp cloth or sponge. Fill some containers with baking soda and place inside. Close the door and leave for a few days.

Wipe grease off exhaust fan grids, the inside of your oven, or anywhere grease gathers with a sponge soaked in white distilled vinegar.

To make cleaning the grill easier, spray a solution of half water and half white distilled vinegar on the cooking surface.

To remove a label, decal, or price tag, cover with a cloth soaked in white distilled vinegar. Leave the cloth on overnight and the label should slide off.

Renew sponges and dishrags by placing them in just enough water to cover them. Then add 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar. Let them soak overnight.

Get rid of calcium deposits on faucets by soaking a cloth or paper towel in white distilled vinegar and wrapping the area tightly. Let this sit for a couple of hours or overnight.

Remove soap buildup from faucets by scrubbing them with a solution of 1 part salt to 4 parts white distilled vinegar.

Rid a faucet of lime deposits by tying a plastic bag containing 1/2 to 1/3 cup of white distilled vinegar around it and leaving it there for two or three hours. If mineral deposits don’t wipe off, scrubbing with an old toothbrush should complete the job.

Shine colored porcelain sinks by scouring them with undiluted white distilled vinegar.

Rinse away soapy film on countertops with a solution of white distilled vinegar and water.

Clean grout by letting full-strength white distilled vinegar sit on it for a few minutes and scrubbing it with an old toothbrush.

Kill germs all around the bathroom with a spray of full-strength white distilled vinegar. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

To remove grime, mildew, and scum from the tub, tile, shower curtain or door, wipe with undiluted white distilled vinegar. Rinse with water.

Spray shower doors with full-strength white distilled vinegar after you’ve squeegeed the glass, or before you step in and turn on the water. It will help release the hard water deposits so they don’t remain on the glass.

Mix up an inexpensive tile cleaner by adding 1/2 cup baking soda, 1 cup white distilled vinegar, and 1 cup ammonia to a gallon of warm water.

Get rid of stubborn bathtub film by wiping it with white distilled vinegar and then scouring with baking soda.

Soak a sponge or loofah overnight in a strong white distilled vinegar and water solution to remove dirt and slime. Rinse several times with cold water and let air dry (in the sun if possible).

Clean shower door tracks by filling them with white distilled vinegar and letting it sit for a few hours. Pour hot water into the tracks and wash and scrub away the scum with a toothbrush.

To clean a scummy showerhead, pour 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup white distilled vinegar into a sandwich bag and tie it around the showerhead. Let this set for an hour after the bubbling has stopped. Remove the bag and then turn on the water.

Deodorize the toilet bowl by allowing 3 cups white distilled vinegar to sit in it for about a half hour before flushing.

To make the toilet bowl sparkle, pour in a cup or more of diluted white distilled vinegar and let it sit several hours or overnight. Scrub well with the toilet brush and flush.

Freshen air in the bathroom by spraying into the air a solution of 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar, and 1 cup water.

Get a shining finish on a no-wax vinyl or linoleum floor by cleaning it with a solution of one cup white distilled vinegar for every gallon of water.

Apply full-strength white distilled vinegar directly to tough linoleum stains. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping it up. If that doesn’t work, apply white distilled vinegar again and then sprinkle some baking soda over the white distilled vinegar. Scrub the area with a brush or sponge. Rinse clean with water.

For an economical and environmentally friendly floor cleaner, mix a solution of 3 drops dishwashing liquid to 1/3 part white distilled vinegar, 1/3 part alcohol, and 1/3 part water. Spray sparingly and mop for a fast clean-up.

Some carpet stains can be removed with a paste of 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar and 1/4 cup salt or baking soda. Rub into the carpet stain and let dry. Vacuum up the residue the next day. (Always test on an out-of-sight part of the carpet first).

Bring out the color in carpet by brushing it with a solution of 1 cup white distilled vinegar for every gallon of water. (Always test on an out-of-sight part of the carpet beforehand).

To reduce soap bubbles in a steam cleaner add about 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar. Use the same amount in the rinse water to remove detergent residue and make carpets stay fresh longer.

Wash indoor/outdoor carpet with a solution of 1 cup white distilled vinegar in 1 bucket of warm water. Scrub using a brush or a broom and then hose off.

Clean up pet accidents by first blotting up the area and then adding a white distilled vinegar-and-water solution. Blot until it is almost dry. Then sprinkle baking soda over the area and let it dry. Vacuum up the residue the next day.

Create your own window cleaning solution by combining 1/2 cup non-sudsy ammonia, 1 cup white distilled vinegar, and 2 tablespoons cornstarch in a gallon of water.

Remove the wax residue left by commercial window cleaners with a solution of 2 cups water, 1 cup white distilled vinegar and 1 teaspoon of liquid soap or detergent.

To remove paint from windows try using undiluted, hot white distilled vinegar. Give the solution time to soften the paint before removing with a razor edge tool.

To remove paint splatters from windows apply full-strength white distilled vinegar with a clean paintbrush.

Get rid of mildew, dust, and stale odors by wiping down walls with undiluted white distilled vinegar on a cloth or a sponge mop.

Clean woodwork and walls with a mixture of 1 cup white distilled vinegar, 1 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup ammonia and 1 gallon warm water. Wipe on with a sponge or damp—not wet—towel.

Clean wood paneling with a solution of 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar, and 2 cups warm water. Wipe on with a soft cloth.

Remove wallpaper easily by using a paint roller to wet the surface very thoroughly with a solution of equal parts white distilled vinegar and hot water. Or spray on until saturated.

Get decals off walls or doors by letting undiluted white distilled vinegar soak into them for several minutes before trying to peel them off. Repeat if necessary.

Remove white water rings from wood with a solution of equal parts white distilled vinegar and vegetable oil. Rub with the grain.

Remove fireplace soot and grime with undiluted white distilled vinegar. Use a brush to scrub and a towel to blot up the wetness and dirt.

Clean fireplace glass doors with a solution of 1 part white distilled vinegar to 2 parts water. Spray or wipe on, then wipe clean with a dry cloth.

To kill germs, spray full-strength white distilled vinegar on doorknobs and then wipe them dry.

Remove the smell of a dead mouse or other rodent (after removing all animal remnants) by wiping down the area with either white distilled vinegar or bleach. Then place a fabric softener sheet in the area to remove any lingering odors.

Never use white distilled vinegar on marble. The acid can damage the surface.

Before painting old concrete, clean with full-strength white distilled vinegar. Let it air dry.

Clean hardened paint brushes by simmering them in a pot with white distilled vinegar. Soak them first for an hour before bringing the white distilled vinegar to a simmer. Drain and rinse clean.

Remove mud and stains from plastic, fiberglass, or aluminum sports equipment by applying a paste of 1 part white distilled vinegar to 3 parts baking soda. Wipe off with soapy water and rinse with clear water.

Clean your grill by spritzing white distilled vinegar over wadded up aluminum foil and scrubbing the grill vigorously with it.

To remove film in glass baby bottles, fill with equal parts hot water and white distilled vinegar. Let sit for at least an hour. Scrub with a bottle brush.

To clean and disinfect baby toys add a good-sized splash of white distilled vinegar to soapy water.

Clean vinyl baby books or board books by wiping with white distilled vinegar. Wipe clean with a damp sponge or cloth.

Clean scissors that have become sticky (after cutting tape, for instance) with a cloth dipped in undiluted white distilled vinegar.

Clean and deodorize urine on a mattress with a white distilled vinegar and water solution. Then sprinkle the area with baking soda and let dry. Brush or vacuum the residue after it is dry to the touch.

Shine pennies by soaking them for a couple of hours or overnight in a glass or bowl of undiluted white distilled vinegar.

.....To be continued Pt.4

House-Wise

"Make yourself at home"

Vinegar.....Economical & Natural (Cont. Pt.2 )

We continue our 'series' here today, on vinegar. Didn't think vinegar deserved a series? Oh, you are so wrong! Vinegar is the coolest invention ever. You can cook with it, you can clean with it, you can use it in your garden, and on your pets. Oh, and it's even good for your health. Vinegar has been used for thousands of years. According to Shennong's Herb Classic, vinegar was invented in China during the Xia Dynasty, around 2000 BC. Though, traces of it have been found in Egyptian urns dating from around 3000 BC

What is vinegar?
Vinegar is made by a chemical change called fermentation. During fermentation, the sugar in wine or juice is changed into alcohol and gas. As the gas evaporates, it leaves only the alcohol and fruit flavors.
The next step in the fermentation process is called oxidation, when the oxygen in the air mixes with the vinegar bacteria in the alcohol to change the alcohol into vinegar.
Fermentation takes place when the liquid is in large wooden barrels. These barrels have holes to permit air to circulate. Since the alcohol in the juice or wine is lighter than the rest of the liquid, it rises to the top of the barrel.
At the top, the alcohol comes in contact with the air and forms an acid called acetic acid. This acid increases the alcohol’s weight, carrying it to the bottom of the barrel in the form we know as vinegar.
It can take from one to two years for a barrel of juice or wine to ferment naturally into vinegar!

Vinegar.....Economical & Natural

Vinegar.  Vinegar has been made and used for thousands of years. The next few posts are going to revolve around vinegar. Why? Because vinegar is AWESOME! It's great for cleaning, cooking, in the garden, for your pets, your car, and your health.

This post is going to talk about the uses of vinegar in cooking.

Vinegar has been used since ancient times and is an important element in European, Asian, and other cuisines.

Vinegar is commonly used in food preparation, particularly in pickling processes, vinaigrettes, and other salad dressings. It is an ingredient in sauces such as mustard, ketchup, and mayonnaise. Vinegar is sometimes used while making chutneys. It is often used as a condiment. Marinades often contain vinegar.

Disclaimer

Because, I must........

Disclaimer: The hints, tips and home remedies given on House-Wise are to give you as information only and not all of them have been tested by me. You are free to use any of the advice or suggestions on this page entirely at your own risk. Please note that in no way will I, my contributors, promoters, or any participants be held responsible for any problems that might occur, or any damage or loss sustained due to the use of information (or by me supplying inadequate or incomplete information) that may be contained on the House-Wise page.

Any health, fitness, household hints, stain remover remedies or beauty advice is designed to help you make informed decisions and is in no way intended to be used as a substitute for professional advice or treatment. Be sure to consult with your physician before adhering to any of the information, advice or recommendations regarding your health, beauty or fitness that may be presented on this site.

Understand that you are solely responsible for the use of any information given on this site and use of any information will be at your own risk.

Any submissions to our page should be free of copyright and is assumed to be the intellectual property of the submitter allowing House-Wise the rights to publish on this page or elsewhere.




This site contains affiliate links. By clicking on a link, I may receive compensation from that company. This in no way affects the consumer. Compensation is never received for product or service reviews, or opinions made by me or my admins.

Disclaimer: This page is a personal blog and has been created for hobby and recreational purposes only. It does not represent any of the artists, products, services,  nor their management in any way.

Fair Use Notice: This page may contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner(s). This page is operated under the assumption that it's not-for-profit use on the Web constitutes 'fair use' of said copy- righted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. Copyrighted material will be given full credit if that information is available.

....so there! :-P

Today is....

Saturday 10 September 2011
Maya Date: 12 . 19 . 18 . 12 . 12 4 Eb 0 Chen
Julian: 2455815 Day of Year: 253
Chinese Year: 4709 Hare/Rabbit (Metal-Rabbit-28-79)
Hebrew: 11th of Elul, 5771
Chinese Lunar: Wu Chen Day, Ding You Month, Xin Mao Year
Islamic: Saturday 12 SHawwal 1432 A.H.
Chinese Solar: Day 13, Eighth Month, Xin Mao Year




......just incase you were wondering. ;-)

House-Wise

"Make yourself at home"

We're Back!

I'm sure you've noticed we've been a little quiet here.  Well, we were house hunting....and that was REALLY stressful.  We lost 4 houses we liked before getting the one we did.  Then we moved....time consuming & stressful.  Once we moved, we didn't have internet for 5 weeks.  No blogging.  However.  I have internet now (as good as satellite gets), I have time now (in amongst the million new-home projects), and I have ambition (hah!) to start working on House-Wise again.  Yay!

I have also created a new blog (Deer Tales) which will tell all about the adventures we're having moving from city life to a rural one.  I believe it will cross-over alot with House-Wise.  I'm not sure how that will work.  Anyway....if you're interested, take a gander at Deer Tales Blog, or visit the Facebook Deer Tales page.

Thanks for reading!!

House-Wise

"Make yourself at home"

Quote of the day...

Some day someone is going to make a fortune putting out a breakfast cereal that will drain the energy from kids!

House-Wise

"Make yourself at home"

Not Enough Fruits & Veggies in Your Diet?

Are you Getting Enough Fruits & Veggies?  The answer is unless you are vegetarian, or very health conscience....probably not.


For a few weeks now I have been taking this supplement that I ran across at  Sam's Club.  I eat prolly an average amount of fruit & veggies, but it's still not enough.  You need alot and face it, if I didn't eat so many processed foods, I'd eat more fruits & veggies.  But until then, I'll take these. :-)

---

FruitFestiv & VeggieFestiv

With 46 Fruits, Vegetables, Spirulina, Wheatgrass, Barley Grass,plus Antioxidants, Probiotics & Digestive Enzymes

Features Super Fruits: Pomegranate, Mangosteen, Noni and Açai & Super Veggies: Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts & Cabbage

Includes SelenoExcell®, a clinically tested form of Selenium

Made with Organic Fruit and Vegetable Blends and Rice Flour

 

The Ultimate Fruit and Veggie Super Food
With a nutritional profile equivalent to the followingservings of fruits and vegetables*:

Beta Carotene = Cup Carrots + 1 Mango

Vitamin C = 2 Apples + Cup Oranges +1 Cup Strawberries

Vitamin B6 = 9 Cups Broccoli +8 Bell Peppers + 8 Tomatoes

Vitamin E = 8 Cups Spinach + 2 Cups SweetPotatoes + 5 Cups Mangos + 5 Cups Papayas

Folic Acid = 4 Cups Brussels Sprouts + 4 CupsSpinach + 6 Cups Oat Bran + 4 Oranges

Calcium = 1 Cups Broccoli

Selenium = 4 Cups Oat Bran

* USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release20. Equivalence based on standard medium, uncooked servings.

House-Wise

"Make yourself at home"

Quote of the day...

The great thing about cake mixes is that future generations will have no trouble making treats just like Mom used to make.

House-Wise

"Make yourself at home"

Quote of the day...

Life is like a Buffet ~ Some things may not be great, but there's plenty of it.

House-Wise

"Make yourself at home"

Japan, China.....what's the difference?

With all the news coverage of the tragedies in Japan, youngsters all over facebook are making comments. Some good, some bad. Unfortunately, most of these kids don't know the difference of the countries in the far east. China, Japan, Korea...they are not interchangeable. 

I'm sure Canadian's wouldn't want to be called American, or the Turks to be called German. Kids aren't learning their geography, or other country's cultures. They are learning segregation. 'Orientals' seem to be one culture/country to them. The countries of the far east are separate entities. 

You cannot complain about the shotty work of all our 'made in china' toys, and say that's a reason not to donate to Japan. You can't comment on the Vietnam war, and say Japan has no right to international assistance. There are 21 different territories and regions in this area of the world.

The Far East consists of:

• People's Republic of China
• Hong Kong
• Japan
• Macau
• Mongolia
• North Korea
• South Korea
• Republic of China
• Brunei
• Cambodia
• East Timor
• Indonesia
• Laos
• Malaysia
• Myanmar (Burma)
• New Guinea
• Philippines
• Singapore
• Thailand
• Vietnam
• Russia (Russian Far East)

Map of the Far East

It just proves to me how bad the public school system has failed when I see so many 'kids' referring to the Chinese when speaking about Japan.

Learning the different countries of our Earth should not be a foriegn concept in our schools. We are a very international country. If I was a visitor to another country, I can bet that I wouldn't be called French, or Mexican. Why do our children not know the difference? It's sad.

It's fine if you do not want to donate to other countries. It's fine if you choose not to assist others in need.  But, if you choose to make a reason for your decision, please make sure you have all your facts straight, and know WHO you are talking about. Otherwise, you just look.....stupid.

Thanks for reading my thoughts! <3

House-Wise

"Make yourself at home"

Wedding Anniversary Gifts

Because tomorrow marks the sixth year that I've been married, I thought it would be appropriate to post the traditional gifts for each wedding anniversary  year.  Not that I will receive a gift...or ever have, mind you, I just thought it would make an interesting and informative blog post.

Each year of every couple's marriage is marked by a specific item. 

1st anniversary: Paper
Can it really be a year ago you said 'I do'? Time flies when you're having fun…

Paper weddings have an edible tradition. If you opted for a fruit wedding cake, you can freeze the top tier and have it re-iced to eat on this day.

2nd anniversary: Cotton

3rd: anniversary: Leather

4th anniversary: Linen

5th anniversary: Wood
In Wales, elaborately carved wooden 'lovespoons' have been given for centuries. The term 'spooning' - meaning 'romancing' - originates from this Welsh tradition. 

6th anniversary: Iron
In his famous diary, Samuel Pepys (1633-1703) writes of going home 'to be merry, it being my sixth wedding night'.

7th anniversary: Wool

8th anniversary: Bronze

9th anniversary: Pottery

10th anniversary: Tin
At ten years old, your marriage is getting all grown up and hopefully, more mature. But not too mature!

As a gift idea, tin may not sound too promising. Fortunately, there's also a gemstone or precious metal associated with each wedding anniversary. According to this tradition, you can celebrate your first decade together with diamonds. Any excuse!

11th anniversary: Steel

12th anniversary: Silk
In Denmark, it's traditional to make a big fuss of the 12-and-a-half-year anniversary. Called a copper wedding, friends and family build the couple half an arch made from spruce (you get the other half when you reach your 25th). The arch is decorated with flowers and lights and positioned at the door of your home.

13th anniversary: Lace
Romantic lace is often associated with weddings. The veil made for Queen Elizabeth's 1923 wedding to George VI required 12,000 hours of work and 12million stitches.

14th anniversary: Ivory

15th anniversary: Crystal

Anniversary symbols vary worldwide. In some cultures, your 15th wedding anniversary, for example, is called a 'glass' wedding.

16th anniversary: Topaz

17th anniversary: Amethyst
Why are certain materials associated with different anniversaries? As the years pass, you'll see that the materials become more durable and more valuable the longer the marriage - just like your relationship! Another theory is that they are designed to help you replace wedding gifts at the time they wear out…

18th anniversary: Garnet

19th anniversary: Aquamarine
Aquamarines are the colour of the sea.

20th anniversary: China

21st anniversary: Brass

22nd anniversary: Copper

23rd anniversary: Silver plate

24th anniversary: Musical instruments

25th anniversary: Silver
Silver weddings have a long tradition. In medieval Germany, husbands gave their wives a wreath of silver when they had been married for 25 years. 'Sylver brydells' are mentioned in an English church record of 1624, and the term 'silver feast' is attributed to the Germans in a letter to Dr Samuel Johnson in 1806.

26th anniversary: Original pictures

27th anniversary: Sculpture

28th anniversary: Orchids
In China, orchids symbolise nobility, friendship, elegance and perfection - making these exotic, mysterious blooms an ideal anniversary present.

29th anniversary: New furniture

30th anniversary: Pearl
In Indian mythology, pearls are said to be dewdrops from heaven that fell into the sea. These jewels represent peace, nobility and beauty.

31st anniversary: Timepieces

32nd anniversary: Conveyances (vehicles)

33rd anniversary: Amethyst
The Victorians were fond of making rings with a message conveyed in the first initial of each jewel. So a ring with a Diamond, Emerald, Amethyst, Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire and Topaz on it spelt 'dearest'.

34th anniversary: Opal

35th anniversary: Coral
Jewelery is the natural choice for this anniversary gift, as coral goes so well with jade, the gemstone associated with 25 years of marriage.

Jade was once used as currency in China and is considered to be lucky. Red coral is the most valuable kind.

36th anniversary: Bone china

37th anniversary: Alabaster

38th anniversary: Beryl
Beryl is a little known, colourless gemstone in it's pure form. Aquamarine is it's blue versiou and it's green is one of the most
precious gems of all - emerald.

39th anniversary: Lace
There is no traditional material for the 39th wedding anniversary but the modern lists state lace, which also marks the 13th. 26 years on, it may be time to replace that tablecloth!

40th anniversary: Ruby
Life begins at 40, and the 40th wedding anniversary is considered to be one of the most important after the 25th. Not surprisingly it's been attached to one of the world's most precious gems. Rubies are said to be rarer than diamonds - they symbolise health, wealth and wisdom and, of course, passion.

41st anniversary: Land
In 1659, John Evelyn wrote in his diary about going to a 'forty-first wedding day feast', one of the earliest references to wedding anniversaries in English literature. It looks as if all anniversaries were an excuse for a celebration back in those days - what a good idea!

42nd anniversary: Real estate

43rd anniversary: Travel
This couldn't be easier. Enjoy a day or weekend away, or head off on the holiday of your dreams!

44th anniversary: Groceries
Groceries don't sound too exciting, but they can make a great present. Just remember to avoid standard supermarket fare and go for a luxury hamper instead.

45th anniversary: Sapphire
Sapphires come in an array of colours - pink, yellow, white, green and red as well as blue.

46th anniversary: Poetry

47th anniversary: Books

48th anniversary: Optical goods

49th anniversary: Luxuries

50th anniversary: Gold
You've spent half a century together - what better cause for a celebration? Golden weddings have been marked for many years. In medieval Germany, men would present their wives with a golden wreath on their 50th anniversary. This was said to symbolise harmony.

Going for gold is the obvious choice for a 50th wedding gift and you may want to use the opportunity to buy each other new wedding rings to add to your old ones. You could even have special inscriptions made inside the rings to mark the occasion.

55th anniversary: Emerald
These precious stones symbolise love and rebirth and make beautiful jewelery.

60th anniversary: Diamond
The word 'diamond' originates from the Greek adamus, meaning unconquerable - which, if you've lasted 60 years, is the perfect epithet for your own marriage. Splash out in celebration of this fantastic event and buy a beautiful piece of diamond jewellery.

70th anniversary: Platinum
After 70 years together, you've earned your own platinum record. And like the metal, your marriage is strong, precious and rare.

Eternity rings are a popular anniversary present. Of course, you can buy one whenever you feel like it, but it might be an ideal gift to mark a special anniversary like the 70th.

75th anniversary: Diamond
Although the 75th is the second diamond wedding in the anniversary calendar, it was actually the first to exist - the 60th was added in 1897 when Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee. There's no modern symbol for a diamond wedding.


Thanks for reading my thoughts! <3

House-Wise

"Make yourself at home"

"Money is the root of all evil"

"Money is the root of all evil" - The apostle Paul


Perhaps the most misquoted passage of scripture actually says, "The love of money is the root of all evil."  Thus Paul was focusing not on the possession of wealth but rather the heart condition that goes along with it.


- Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Plunges Into History. Pg 67


Thanks for reading my thoughts! <3

House-Wise

"Make yourself at home"

Are you dehydrated?

Most of us associate dehydration with hot summer months, sweaty bodies, and lots and lots of sun and heat.  But that's not necessarily the case.  Dehydration is a very common problem, and you might not even know you are dehydrated!


Severe dehydration is when you start to feel lightheaded, you might be nauseous or even vomit, and your pee is dark.  But what about mild dehydration, or chronic dehydration?  Mild/chronic dehydration won't throw your body into shock, but it can leave you feeling irritable, tired, achy, and just plain under the weather.


What exactly is dehydration?  Simply put, it's loss of water from the body from fluid deprivation. 


But, I'm not thirsty, how can I be dehydrated? You can be dehydrated and not even know you were even thirsty. Women over the age of 30 start to lose the ability to register thirst. Many women can end up being dehydrated for years and because of that, start to gain weight and develop chronic fatigue.


Do you drink lots of coffee, tea, or diet soda?  Yes, the main 'ingredient' in these drinks is water.  However, caffeine is a diuretic.  A diuretic is a chemical that increases flow of urine from the body.  Many women use diuretics during their menstrual cycle to help with the water weight, or bloat.  However, if you are constantly intaking a diuretic into your body, you are expelling the body's much needed water from these beverages, which leaves you dehydrated.  But that's not all.  The aspartame in your diet drinks works like a magnet on water molecules, drawing fluid from body cells.  Thus leaving you...you guessed it, dehydrated.


Other factors that can leave you dehydrated besides age, sweeteners & diuretics, are chronic stress and low intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Without this 'brain food', the sensors in your brain that let you know you are thirsty are impaired. Also add to this list, is constant dosing of anti-histamines such as Claritin, Allegra, and Zyrtec.  These medications suppress the actions of histamines, which is great for those suffering from allergies.  However, histamines are also a safeguard against dehydration.  If your water intake drops, histamine levels rise to slow fluid loss from the body. This is a good thing. So if you are constantly taking anti-histamines, your body cannot fight against dehydration.


OK, so what are the symptoms of dehydration?  Well, from a medical standpoint, if you are frequently urinating, and it is not pale or almost clear, you might be dehydrated.  Some of the most common symptoms seen of chronic are weight gain, brain fog, exahustion, forgetfulness, stress, aches, tiredness, depression, and anxiety.


Wow, so I may be dehydrated.  What can I do?  Well, this is an easy one.  I mean, if you are really worried about it, you can visit the doctor and get some blood work done to test for dehydration.  However, you don't need to jump to extremes yet.  Just increase your intake of water.  But be careful, and don't go overboard.  You can become water intoxicated....and that's bad.  What happens, is when you get too much water in your system, you dilute the sodium your body needs, and that is called hyponatremia. But it's not only how much you drink, but how fast you drink it. Sip your water throughout the day, don't gorge yourself all in one shot.  And if you are exercising, make sure some of your water beverages include much needed electrolytes.  This will help prevent hyponatremia.


But how much water do I need? A healthy adult kidney can process fifteen liters of water a day, over the course of the day. Your body needs a total of about three quarts of water per day to stay hydrated.  Some of this water you get from fruits and veggies.  It is a good idea to eat lots of watery fruits and veggies if you are trying to discern if you are dehydrated.  Lettuce and watermelon contain 90% water.  One doctor suggests dividing your weight (in pounds) by 2.  This is the water, in ounces, your body needs throughout the day. (Ie: a 160lb woman would need 80oz of water a day). This concurs with the 8-12, 8oz glasses we often hear is the recommended amount. If you are outside, sweating, or exercising, you need to up that by one glass per hour of exertion.  Just remember...throughout the day....sip your water!


So, if you feel tired, achy, or cranky....you might just be dehydrated.  Take a closer look at your water intake. Try to lay off the caffeine, diet beverages, and anti-histamines for a couple weeks, and adding more fruits & veggies and water to your daily diet.  If you are dehydrated, you should see immediate results.


Thanks for reading my thoughts! <3

House-Wise

"Make yourself at home"

Happy Valentine's Day

When we think of Valentine's Day, we often think of red roses, candy in heart- shaped boxes, mushy valentines, and winged cherubs flying about shooting starry-eyed lovers with arrows.

February has long been a month of romance. It is the month associated with Valentine's Day celebrations. We have, time and again, heard the name St. Valentine being uttered before us in this season of love. But just who is this St. Valentine? Why is this month associated with love and romance?

Every year, the fourteenth day of the month of February has millions across the world presenting their loved ones with candy, flowers, chocolates and other lovely gifts.

But did you know that the origin of Valentine's Day, or Saint Valentine's Day, comes from the life and death of a Christian martyr?

It is not exactly known why the 14th of February is known as Valentine's Day or if the noble Valentine really had any relation to this day. The modern St. Valentine's Day celebrations are said to have been derived from both ancient Christian and Roman tradition. The fullest and earliest description of the tradition occurs in Chaucer's "Parliament of Fouls" composed around 1380. Since that time it has been traditional to connect St. Valentine's Day with love.

You can read one story here:
http://www.theholidayspot.com/valentine/history_of_valentine.htm
Another story can be found here:
http://www.ethnic2020.com/MeaningofValentine.htm
Of course, there's Wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine%27s_Day

Today, Valentine's Day is one of the major holidays in the U.S. and has become a booming commercial success. According to the Greeting Card Association, 25% of all cards sent each year are Valentines. 189 million stems of roses are sold in the U.S. on Valentine's Day.

Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid.

There may be doubts regarding the actual identity of Valentine, but we know that he really existed because archaeologists have recently unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to a Saint Valentine.

On a lighter note....

Flowers.  Flowers given on Valentine's Day have different meanings.  Here are a few:

• Red roses are the color of passion and love.
• The yellow rose symbolizes a deep friendship.
• The white rose can also be a symbol of remembrance for a loved one lost.
• Pink roses are a great way to say that you are interested in someone without being over bearing.
• Peach roses speak of appreciation and gratitude.
• White Roses + Yellow Roses are a symbol of harmony.
• Red Roses & Yellow Roses sends a message of happiness and celebration.
• Red Roses & White Roses shows an indication of bonding and harmony.
• Orange roses are the symbol of passion and attraction.
• The lavender rose is usually used to express that feeling of seeing someone and having a love at first sight moment.
• Single Red Rose means, "I love you".
• Single Rose Any Color is an, "I thank you".
• Two Roses Entwined is foreshadowing of an engagement or marriage is imminent.
• Regardless of the original color, dead roses say "It's over" loud and clear.

Jewelery. One of the most common Valentine's gifts. Here's what the stones mean:

• Diamond – fidelity, love, commitment, trust in relationships
• Moonstone – love, new beginnings, good fortune in love
• Sapphire – wisdom stone, brings lightness, joy, and peace of mind
• Pearl – innocence, sincerity
• Blue Topaz – truth, wisdom, clear communication
• Ruby – passion, zest for life, joy, laughter, courage
• Amethyst – powerful protection, transmutes negative energy into love
• Aquamarine – courage, tolerance of others, protective in pregnancy
• Garnet – brings serenity and passion as appropriate, love and devotion
• Peridot – alleviates jealousy, opens heart to joy and new relationships
• Quartz – amplifies and balances energy or thought
• Topaz – known as the stone of love and good fortune. It brings joy, and promotes forgiveness and truth.

Read more here:  http://www.suite101.com/content/valentines-day-gift-jewelry-gem-and-crystal-meanings-a338107


Other Valentine's gifts:

• Men typically get lingerie for women if they want them to feel sexy. 
• Perfume is intimate. It means I’m going to be smelling you for a while.
• A heart-shaped box of chocolates is for your grandmother, your sixth-grade teacher, or a friend.
• Bath gel, lotion sets means that he thinks girls are soft and pretty and smell good but are also mysterious and need special potions to get that way.
• You get your girlfriend a massage because you want her to slow down, stop worrying and take a minute for herself.
• Nothing fosters romance more than a weekend away. Men will typically give plane tickets or even a night at a hotel somewhere nearby when you’re in the first phases of a somewhat serious relationship. 

http://www.glamour.com/sex-love-life/2010/02/what-his-valentines-day-gift-says#slide=1

In conclusion, no matter if you are coupled, or single...  Celebrate Valentine's by giving cards, chocolates, going out to dinner, or staying home with a good book...  I hope all my friends out there have a wonderful February 14th!


Thanks for reading my thoughts! <3

House-Wise

"Make yourself at home"