Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Gooey Butter Cake

I was told that this is very good. I have one in the oven right now and will come back and post after I try it. :)

(18.5 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners' sugar

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Mix cake mix, melted butter or margarine, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 2 eggs with a spoon. Pat into a 9 X 13 inch pan.
Mix cream cheese, 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla with an electric mixer. Slowly beat in confectioner's sugar. Pour over cake layer.
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Cool.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Personalized Plates

If you have beautiful plates that are mismatched, but would love to be able to use them, try this.

Enlarge a photograph of your loved ones and put it in the middle of the plate. Use a compass (that will draw a circle) to get the right diameter of the inside of the plate, then use it to trace a circle around the picture. Paste the picture in the middle of the plate. You will still be able to see the pretty edges of the plates and they will act like a picture frame.

Monday, April 9, 2007

Did You Know...These Thrifty Tips?

Did you know that keeping brown sugar and marshmallows is the freezer will keep them from getting HARD!?


Did you know that honey won't freeze solid either, and will last longer in there too? Just thaw a bit in the fridge before using.

-Another great frozen honey tip: Add to water, to taste, and freeze in ice cube trays. Pop into a freezer bag when frozen, mark, and you'll have a delicious way to cool and flavor your iced tea at the same time!

Did you also know that storing your popping corn in the freezer, and popping it while it is still icy cold will help it to pop fluffier, and with fewer un-popped kernels?

Knowing what can best go in your freezer is a valuable key to frugal shopping and homemaking. Watch for more freezer tips!

Sunday, April 8, 2007

Ways to use leftover Easter eggs

So you let the kids dye 5 dozen eggs. What are you going to do with them now?


Egg Salad Sandwiches

8 hard-cooked eggs, diced
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup dried onion flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dill weed
8 slices white bread

In a bowl, gently mix the eggs, mayonnaise, onion flakes, salt, mustard powder, garlic powder, pepper, and dill. Cover, and refrigerate 8 hours, or overnight. To serve, spread equal amounts on 4 slices bread; top with remaining bread slices to make sandwiches.

Picked Eggs (My Aunt says these are wonderful!)

1 (15 ounce) can red beets
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup cold water
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 whole cloves
1 small cinnamon stick
6 hard-cooked eggs

Pour the beet juice into a medium-size pot. Stir in the brown sugar, vinegar, water, salt, cloves, and the cinnamon stick. Place the pot over a medium heat for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Place the beets into the liquid mixture and let it cook for an additional 2 minutes to allow the beets to heat.
Place the hard cooked eggs (with the shells removed) in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Pour the liquid and beets into the container with the eggs. Store the container in the refrigerator for approximately 5 days before eating.

Deviled Eggs

6 eggs
1/2 stalk celery, finely chopped
1/4 onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup mayonnaise
salt to taste
1 dash hot pepper sauce
paprika, for garnish

Place eggs in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Cover and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool and peel.
Cut eggs in half. Remove yolks and place in a medium bowl. Mash together with celery, onion, mayonnaise, salt and hot pepper sauce.
Stuff the egg white halves with the egg yolk mixture. Sprinkle eggs with paprika. Chill covered in the refrigerator until serving.

Friday, April 6, 2007

A Beauty Do!

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I'm a Perfume Diva! I love perfume! My favorite scent is "Sexual", by Michel Germain.

Every time I wear it and I do mean every single time, I get complimented and asked what I'm wearing.

Here's a perfume tip I was unaware of until today and thought it was worthy of sharing.

Apply perfume to your armpits (after a scent free deodorant) and on the curve under your breasts. The fragrance is released when your body heat rises.
-Glamour Magazine

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Lipstick, Lipstick, Lipstick!

The never ending task of finding the right color and more!

To find the perfect lip color for your skin, buy a color just a bit darker than the color inside your lip.

When applying your makeup, put your lipstick on first. It helps to determine how dark you apply your blush and eye makeup.

If you're still wearing lip liner that's 2 or 3 shades darker than your lipstick or even worse yet, you only wear dark liner...(((I shudder))) Ditch it! That look is OUT!!!

Don't be afraid to mix colors and add a shimmery gloss for kissable lips!

Two Quick Tips

Here's two quick tips for removing stains on counters.

  • Rub the stain with a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Ta-da, no more stain!

  • Try using a little whitening toothpaste to clean off stubborn stains. Make sure to rinse!