August Tip-a Day Calendar: Hints and tricks to make life easier

[Texasmujer]

1 August: Line baking sheets with foil, then use nonstick cooking spray before baking chicken or fish. Just throw away the mess.

2 August: Do a dry run before a long car trip to see if your pet will tolerate the confines of the car.

3 August: It's easier to separate yolks from whites when eggs are cold.

4 August: To cut down on mosquitoes, get rid of any stagnant water, or standing water, including that clogged gutter and downspouts.

5 August: Before starting a knitting project, go through the pattern and circle all the instructions that pertain to the size you're are making.

6 August: Easy plant ties: Cut plastic bags into strips and use to attach plants to stakes or fences.

7 August: Intertaining outdoors? Dress the table with colorful watering cans filled with wildflowers.

8 August: To keeep a frame hanging straight and prevent scratches and marks on the wall, glue rubber erasers to the rear bottom edge.

9 August: Write due dates of bills on your calendar to pay them.

10 August: When applying a stain remover, work from the outer edge to the center. On fabric, appaly to the wrong side and push the spot out, don't rub in. Due a test first.

11 August: Spruce up a room fast: Put magazines in neat piles, fluff pillows, dust mirrors, and polish chrome and anything shiny.

12 August: Use dabs of frosting to "glue" the bottom cake layer to a serving plate. It hold it steady as you frost the cake.

13 August: Double check window and door locks and lubricate them with a drop of oil before you go on vacation.

14 August: Discover some new card games to play with the family. Go to http://www.ehow.com and click on "hobies and games" to learn the rules.

15 August: Don't hang sweaters, knits or bias-cut clothing. Always fold them to maintain their shape.

16 August: Use flat-end tweezzers tp grasp and remove the leafy hull from a fresh strawberry woithout damaging teh fruit or staining your fingers.

17 August: Don't leave a pet alone in the car, even with the windows cracked opwn. Temperatures can rise quickly, causing heatstroke.

18 August: Clean or replace your range filter every six to 12 months.

19 August: Get rid of ring around the collar by scrubbing with a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 2 parts whitw vinegar. Rinse and wash as usual. (Make a spot test first.)

20 August: Store popcorn kernels in the freezer. They'll stay fresh much longer, and freezing will encourage every kernel to pop.

21 August: Put up a volleyball or badminton net in the
backyard and have a family tournament.

22 August: To keep glue, jam or honey jar lids from sticking, put a thin coat of petroleum jelly inside the cap.

23 August: Wear cotton gloves with furniture polish to dust hard-to-reach places.

24 August: It's easier to slice meat for quick-cooking dishes like stir-fries if you freeze themeat for 30 or 60 minutes.

25 August: When traveling with a companion, pack some clothes in each others bag in case one bag is lost or detained.

26 August: Set pans on the open door of the dishwasher before using nonstick spray. Overspray will be washed away and countertops will stay clean.

27 August: Need more space for belts and handbags? Naial a strip of lattice to the wall and screw in cup hooks.

28 August: Try having an overnight family coockout that includes dinner cooked opn the grill.

29 August: ALways have thread in a needle before putting it in a pincushion. You're able to spot it faster.

30 August: When the air conditionong is on, turn off unnecessary lights. Much of the energy from the light isheat.

31 August: Order your spring flowering bulbs now for next year's garden. Plan for different flowering times so the color doesn't come all at once.