Sometimes it’s a rogue apple that rolls off the counter onto the tile floor. Sometimes it’s a carefully selected peach that is carelessly bagged by a supermarket cashier. Sometimes it’s a forgotten plum that becomes squashed in the back of the produce drawer. Whatever the cause, bruised pieces of fruit are unsightly and, in many cases, … [Read more...] about Frugal TIPbits: Ways to Salvage Bruised Fruit
Keeping the Home
Easy Tortellini Tomato Soup
All of us need a few quick, easy-to-prepare recipes in our repertoires. This is one of those recipes. I came up with it several weeks ago when we were low on groceries and I needed to quickly prepare a meal. Surprisingly, we enjoyed the result so much that I put it on our menu for this summer. Ingredients 32 oz. chicken broth 1 cup … [Read more...] about Easy Tortellini Tomato Soup
Common Housekeeping Conundrums: Rust in Bathtubs and Sinks
My husband and I purchased our house last year. A new bathtub was installed by the previous owner right before we made the purchase. Unfortunately, during the short time the house stood vacant before we moved in, a spot of rust developed in the tub where some water had pooled around the drain. Why did pooled water cause rust to form? … [Read more...] about Common Housekeeping Conundrums: Rust in Bathtubs and Sinks
Mexican Tomato Macaroni & Cheese
After the Italian Tomato Macaroni & Cheese I made last spring turned out so well, I decided to tweak the recipe to create a Mexican version. The result was just as hearty and just as tasty. Ingredients 3 cups macaroni pasta (uncooked measure) 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 cup sour cream 1 can (10 oz.) diced tomatoes and … [Read more...] about Mexican Tomato Macaroni & Cheese
Rampant Reusing: Books
I would not arbitrarily encourage someone to destroy books (you can read here about various ways to get rid of books you no longer want or need). However, if you’ve decided to get rid of some books and you want to create something new with them, there are some really awesome options. These would be great uses for books that are damaged, … [Read more...] about Rampant Reusing: Books
Getting Rid of Some Books? Ways to Give Each One a New Lease on Life
After our discussion on deciding when to get rid of books, have you identified any that you are ready to remove from your collection? If you have, then you are faced with the question of what to do with them. There are a ton of options! Ways to get rid of books Give them away. Consider each book and ask yourself “Who would appreciate … [Read more...] about Getting Rid of Some Books? Ways to Give Each One a New Lease on Life
Chicken Pesto Pizza
Pizza is one of my husband’s favorite dishes. He likes traditional pizza (tomato-based sauce, Italian meats, etc.) but I’m a tad bit more adventurous. I took a chance by integrating pesto, a flavor I know he likes, into a pizza recipe. The verdict? He and I both agree that it’s pretty tasty. Pizza dough ingredients 1 cup warm water (110 … [Read more...] about Chicken Pesto Pizza
Deciding When to Get Rid of Books
My husband and I have books in abundance. Would you like to read a biography? We’ve got everything from Walker’s William Carey: Missionary Pioneer and Statesman to Moody’s Coming of Age in Mississippi. If these don’t interest you we also have an account of Dr. Paul Farmer’s life and work by Tracy Kidder (Mountains Beyond Mountains) and a … [Read more...] about Deciding When to Get Rid of Books
