Article continues below ↓ advertisement | your ad here photo by Hurleyfamily DEAR SARA: Do you know how to make a cupcake cake? I want to make one for my grandson’s birthday, and I’m wondering how hard it is. — Jayne, Pennsylvania
If you have kids or grandkids, you know how all of their crafty little supplies can get messy to cart around. I like the first tip for organizing supplies and projects. I’m a fan of story sacks (cloth bags with a book and activity), so having activities ready and stored in reusable containers gets a big thumbs up from me. You could create travel activities, and they could easily be mailed as a surprise, too. Think: Play dough or clay and cookie cutters, puzzle books, school supplies or baking kits. The possibilities are endless.
It’s hard to believe how many items you can make yourself. While some make-it-yourself projects can be complex, most are quick and painless. Try a few and you might never go back to your ready-made “convenience” ways.
GEL PACK: This is great for small bumps or bruises. Mix three parts water and one part rubbing alcohol in a freezer bag. Seal and encase it in a second freezer bag. Place in the freezer. The more alcohol you use, the softer the pack will be. Wrap with a cloth before applying to skin. It’s more gentle and pliable than a hard ice pack.
I’m often asked how to reuse baby-food jars. I make homemade baby food, so I never have an abundance of jars, but I do agree that it’s a shame to simply toss them. Baby food is also sold in plastic containers, so I’ll include a couple of ways to reuse them, too. If you have any additional ideas, let me know.
Article continues below ↓ advertisement | your ad here photo by Jennifer+ Some recipes are so good that you want to keep them a secret. Maybe you or someone you know makes the absolute best desserts. There’s never any extra, and they’re lick-the-bowl delicious. They can work miracles, too. I bake standard favorites such as [...]
photo by jmb1977 Many people practice frugality and don’t realize it. It’s just a way of life. Some tips are practical, while others seem extreme or too time-consuming. It’s always fun to share some of the readers’ daily frugal tips to be less wasteful. Maybe there are a few you’ve tried. FAST-FOOD REFILL: I’ve refilled [...]
photo by sylvar I was once interviewed and featured in an article in the Saginaw (Mich.) News. One section of the article, written by reporter Cathy Heng, states, “As editor, she works on the simplicity site in a sparse room with three computers, two office chairs, a built-in desk, a partially filled bookcase and a [...]
photo by Dazed81 Many parents are concerned with how to launder their baby’s clothing so they can fight stains but not irritate their baby’s skin. Some baby laundry detergents claim to be gentle on skin, but they might not clean as well as you want them to. I used some free samples that turned out [...]
photo by joeannenah Cut utility costs during the warm months by giving your dryer a break. Instead, line dry your laundry on a clothesline. There’s sometimes a stigma attached to clotheslines, which are often viewed as a sign of poverty or as an eyesore, but the truth is that many people simply don’t want to [...]
photo by wordridden Give flexitarianism (semi-vegetarianism) a try. Once a week, incorporate a meatless dish into your meal rotation. You’ll be surprised that you don’t miss the meat in the following recipes even when these dishes typically include it as a key ingredient. It’s good for your budget, too. Mushroom-Barley Soup 2 onions 2 stalks [...]
photo by sassy gardener First impressions are important when trying to sell your home. Extreme changes aren’t always necessary. There are simple steps you can take to prepare your house for the market while staying within a reasonable budget. The interior plays a big role, but don’t ignore exterior modifications, such as fresh lightbulbs, an [...]
DEAR SARA: What do you do if you don’t have your oven? For the past two weeks, I have not had an oven, and my mind has ventured onto other options. The computer board of my oven went out, but the stove is still operable. Fortunately, and hopefully, it is getting fixed today (praying here). [...]
Ever have a dish or two in the sink that you want to wash? Don’t wait for more dirty dishes before you hand wash or keep the faucet running or fill a sink with soap and water for a couple of dishes. Keep a spray bottle filled with water and add a bit of dish [...]
