Did You Know?

It took nearly 500 years for toilet paper to make the transition from sheets to rolls.

What's New?

In this Issue:

Recipes
Ham Bone Dinner
Whole Wheat Orange Bread
French Salad Dressing

Money Saving Tips

• Alternative Uses for Common Household Items: Eggs and Egg Shells, Egg Cartons, Epsom Salts
• Beauty Savings Tips
• Reader's Tips

Craft Ideas
Make some modeling clay

My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her. - George Washington (1732-1799)

Featured Articles

Looking for a way to show your Mother how much you care on a budget? Sometimes all it takes is looking at all your Mom does for you and giving it back to her for a day, a week, or whenever she choses... - Read On

Every year my family asks me what I want for Mother’s Day. Every year, I give them the same answer that I learned from my mother. I say, "I don’t need anything." Of course my family knows I’m not serious. I’d be very disappointed if they actually didn’t give me ANYTHING. So I usually end up with some perfume or smiley-face socks. That’s nice but it’s not what I really need. So this year I decided to ask my family for what I really want...Read On

There is nothing as special or personal as a homemade Mother's Day card. Surprise your friends and family with your handmade creations. Here are some ideas to get you started... - Read On

Recipes

Bring to boil, then simmer 2-3 hours until peas are done, adding water if necessary. Remove ham bone, cut off meat and chop finely.

Add to soup:
ham bits
6 carrots, sliced
1 green pepper, chopped
2 onions, diced

Cook until carrots are done, about 30 minutes. Check seasonings and serve

Options:Substitute chopped bacon or salt pork for the ham bone, or omit meat entirely and flavor with herbs
Add dumplings:
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons baking powder
Rub in:
1 Tablespoon margarine
Gradually add:
1 cup water

Place on top of simmering soup in large spoonfuls. Cover and cook without peeking 15 minutes. Use dumplings when all the soup can be eaten at once since they do not reheat well.

Makes 1 loaf

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine in a large mixing bowl:
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups white flour
3/4 cup sugar
1-2 Tablespoons grated orange peel
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Add:
3/4 cup frest or reconstituted frozen orange juice
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup cooking oil
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Stir until moistened, about 75 strokes. Pour batter into greased 9x5 or 8x4 loaf pan
Sprinkle with mixture of:
1 Tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Bake 60-65 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center come out clean.

Makes 1 1/3 cups
Shake, beat, or whirl in a blender:
1 Tablespoon grated onion
1 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons vinegar
1/2 cup salad oil
1/2 cup ketchup
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon paprika

Keep refrigerated

Send us Your Recipes

Need ideas for dinner or recipes?

Cooking.com -Go to Recipes & More Section
Recipe Secrets
Free Recipes at ClubMom!
Country Cooking Recipes
E-Cookbooks Library

Money Saving Tips

Visit our money saving tips directory here - Save money everyday on everything you do and buy!

Compost nutrients - Egg shells are rich in calcium and are a great addition to your compost pile.

Seed Starters - Place egg shell halves in egg carton, fill with soil and press seeds inside to start seedlings. Seeds draw extra nutrients from the eggshell.

Glue replacement - When in a pinch, use egg white to glue together light material like paper or cardboard.

Houseplant water - Save water that you boil eggs in. Cool and use to water plants to give them extra nutrients.

Fire Starter - Start a b-b-q grill fire. Fill a cardboard egg carton with charcoal briquettes. Add some candle wax if available. Place in the grill and light.

Storing, sorting, or organizing small items.

1. sort coins for rolling later
2. Buttons
3. Safety Pins
4. nuts and bolts, nails, washers
5. small Christmas ornaments
6. Jewelry

Start seedlings for the garden

Make Ice - Make ice for a picnic or party. Use bottom halves of clean polystyrene egg cartons to make extra ice.

Packing and Shipping - Use for packing and shipping several small items

Golf ball storage.

Fertilizer - Fertilize tomatoes and other plants. For the biggest tomatoes, fertilize with epsom salt every week. For each foot of height of tomato plant, add one tablespoon. Also good for houseplants and roses.

Clean bathroom tiles. - Mix equal parts salts and liquid dish detergent, then dab it onto the offending area on tiles and scrub. Dissolves grime.

Deter racoons from the trash by spreading a few Tablespoons epsom salts around trash receptacle. Reapply after rain.

Make an egg facial - For dry skin use only the yolk, for oily skin use the white (add a bit of lemon or honey if desired), for normal skin use the whole egg. Beat lightly, apply to face, wait 30 minutes then rinse clean.

Soften Skin with Milk - Milk is a natural skin softener. Put 1/2 cup powdered milk in the tub as it fills and give yourself a milk bath.

Homemade mouthwash - In a pint jar, place 1 ounce whole cloves and/or 3 ounces fresh rosemary, add 2 cups boiling water. Cover tightly and let steep overnight. Strain. Return to pint jar (or recycle an empty mouthwash bottle) and use as necessary.

Nail Polish life extender - Store nail polish the fridge to keep fresh and easy to use. Place several nail polishes in a plastic container together for easier storage in the fridge.

*(in reference to last issue's recipe "Meatloaf Made with Stuffing Mix")We didn't have tomato sauce in the house, so we substituted petite diced tomatoes both in the mixture and on top for taste. My husband, Mr. I-Cannot-Live-Without-Gobs-of-Pepper, also added pepper to the finished product.

It was the most delicious meatloaf we have ever eaten! Thanks for the recipe which is now kept with our most treasured ones!
- Donna, Hughesville, Maryland

- Please share your tips

Make Your Own Modeling Clay:

Let the kids help with this one. Knead together 3 cups all purpose flour, 1/4 cup salt, 1 cup water, 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil, and 1-2 drops food coloring. If sticky, add more flour. If too stiff, add more water. When your clay is workable, store it until needed in a sealed plastic bag or air tight container.

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