Indoor Basketball Net

"I wish we had one of those little basketball hoops." said my 15-yr-old to me one day.

"Make one."  I said, "all you need is a hanger and some plastic mesh."

This is what he created:

front



As you can see, it fits nicely on the door.  He even drew basketball lines on a Nerf ball. 

He fastened everything together with good ol' duct tape, "the handyman's secret weapon."  For the shaping of the hanger he used Dad's pliers.



back



side



Goodness knows how many of those flimsy little hoops we've gone through in our home, what with four boys.  Now this sturdy little contraption has staying power.

Grandma's Apple-Rhubarb Jelly

I grew up eating this jelly, always preferring it to the quintessential store-bought grape that perpetually sat, back then, in the cupboard. Grandma always made sure her family had some. 

Of course the whole reason for making jams and jellies, like any preservation, is for the keeping. Sugar is a preservative. Storing our preserves in the fridge is a modern-day phenomena.

I’m grateful that we’ve learned so much in the field of home preserving.  We've come a long way since the wax-topped jelly jar and the general store pickle barrel.

We can prevent food-borne illness using simple methods. By following basic directions and applying current knowledge, we can feel confident about our products. Canning is fun when you can be confident! I hope you enjoy this jelly now as much as I did growing up.

Grandma’s Apple-Rhubarb Jelly

2 c. rhubarb juice (see recipe below)

2 c. apple cider (no added sugar)

1 box of Sure Jell

Bring this to a full rolling boil.

Add 4c. sugar.

Bring to a full rolling boil, boil for 2 minutes.

Makes 7+ small jelly glasses full.

　

Rhubarb Juice

6 c. rhubarb, cubed
1 c. water
Cook 10 minutes and drain = 2 ¼ c. juice.

Thrifty Letters "N and O" with Vicki Lansky

Nail Polish, Clear

1  Spread over special decals that you wish to make permanent.

2  Use to keep ends of ribbon or shoe laces from fraying.

3  Cover areas on new shoes that are prone to scuffs, preventing the problem ahead of time.

4  Fill small holes in windows or windshields.

5  Stop runs in nylons.

6  Seals some of the holes in an over zealous salt shaker.
7  Prevent rust on the screws of your toilet seat.

8  Cover the bottom of the can of shaving cream to prevent rust spots in your shower.

9  Make wobbly drawer knobs more snug when you dip the screw tip in polish.

Nail Polish, Color
1  Will brightly mark the ounces on Baby’s bottle.
2  Red dot on the hot water faucet for the learning toddler.
3  Mark poisons in the home with a red “X.”

4  Mark the “9” and the “1” on your telephone.

5  Fill in the color of your faded old jewelry.

6  Mark your golf, tennis, racket balls.

7  Mark hard-to-find arrows on your medicine dosage cups.

8  Mark measuring cups with lost marks.

9  Dip the end of thread for easier threading.

Nail Polish Remover

1  Remove burns on wood furniture; dip cotton swab & rub carefully, scrape gently with dull knife. Fill in with clear polish.

2  Remove scuff marks on floors.

3  Remove bumper stickers.

4  Remove paint on windows.

5  Remove superglue from fingers.

6  Cleans scissors.

Newspaper

1  Usefor patterns to preserve the original.

2  Use as garden mulch (clean up at the end of the season).
3  Use as litter.
4  Use for packing.
5  Wrap green tomatoes at frost time - they’ll ripen beautifully.
6  Dry newly-washed windows.
7  Gives traction on the ice.
8  Helps to remove odors from plastic containers.
9  Removes cleaner residue.

Nylons

1  Old nylons great for “breathable” insect jar covers.
2  Thread wire coat hanger through old nylon to make a pool skimmer.

3  Use to collect seashells when beachcombing.

4  Makes a good bungee.
5  Use the top as a large binder: think trash can or newspapers.
6  Layer as twice thickness and fill with dried fragrant herbs, use in the dryer for freshness. Better for your sensitive skin.
7  Cover your vacuum nozzle when you’ve lost something valuable that’s hard to find.
8  Center a bar of soap and knot on each end, use for a back scrubber.

9  Store your plant bulbs.

10  Make good tomato ties.

Old Bottle Nipple

Use baby’s worn bottle nipple for piggy bank that’s lost it’s plug.

Old Safety Gate

Works well as a drying surface for your sweaters.

Old Drawer Shelves

I found this idea on the Funky Junk Interiors blog site.  This photo is from their post "Old Drawers."  They're using this old drawer as a tray for popcorn night. 

It got me thinking, "This could be cute and practical." 

For some of us, practicality isn't just a wise option.  It's a necessity.  Be it space, budget, curious tiny fingers, or what have you, many of us admire decorating from afar. 

But we don't have to.  We just need to be clever.  Obviously, as adorable as this old drawer tray is, it isn't practical.  Where are we going to store it?  How often would we use it?  I live in a small house and must consider these things.

So my wheels have been turning.  These posts are such wonderful inspiration!  And this is why we blog (that, and nobody chides us for starting a sentence with "and", or "but").

I had some old sewing machine drawers that I've used for organizing various things from desk essentials to kids' watercolors.  I thought they would be a good size for shelves instead.

It turns out that they're a nice depth as well.  These are made with a very hard wood so they're quite sturdy.  You just want to be sure that your hooks are secure enough to hold everything you'll be placing onto your shelf.

As per my usual "decorating" habits, I have the pretty mixed together with the practical.  I have a handy spot for my papers, pens, lip balm, scissors, even a candle.  But I can also display my treasured elephants (Lego pachyderm opus masterfully crafted by two of my sons working together).

If you happen to stumble across some old drawers that have, unfortunately, outlasted their frame, this makes a handsome application.  If they're sturdy but lack luster, go ahead a give them an "up-do." 

Most of all, make it your own and enjoy!

How Much Are My Donations Worth?

It's a little late in the tax season, but we haven't hit the big April 15th yet.  I want to share with you some valuation guides for your donations throughout the year. 

These are extremely helpful with your tax deductions, be sure to familiarize yourself with this process if you're not already.

The Salvation Army, who takes all sorts of donations from accross the country offers a handy website.

Goodwill does, too.  Both these companies will give you a tax deduction form, you may need to remember to ask.

There are so many local thrifts that are happy to accept your clean, gently used items.  Ask for a donation slip and use an updated valuation guide.  You'll find things moving along smooth as butter when your tax appointment comes up.

Lentils and Cheese Dumplings

This is a favorite with our little ones.  I pulled it out of that "If You Don't Know Beans" cookbook that I talk about in an earlier post.  It uses basic ingredients, which is nice.  I just need to be sure I have enough cheese on hand because I double the dumpling recipe for my ravenous crew. 

Lentils are one of the earth's healthiest foods.  They're mild and somewhat nutty, and easier to cook than dried beans.

This recipe makes the perfect "comfort food."  These little guys are full of fiber, B vitamins, and protein, but very low in calories.  You love'em already, don't ya?

1 c. dried lentils

4 c. water

2 chicken bouillon cubes

1 c. carrots

1 c. any leftover veg in your fridge

1 c. celery, sliced

1 med onion, chopped

2 Tbsp. oil

1 1/2 c. milk

Don't forget to sort and rinse them.

In a 4 qt. pot, combine lentils, water, and bouillon.  Bring to a boil.  Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Remove from heat.

In a med. skillet, sauté your vegetables in oil until they're tender.  Stir them into your lentils.

Bring them to a boil; reduce heat.  Cover and simmer until lentils are tender. 

Stir in milk.  Cook until hot, but not boiling.  (Flavor with salt & pepper.)

Prepare dumplings.  (see below)

Drop into hot soup.  Cover and simmer about 15 min.

Cheese Dumplings
6 Tbsp. butter

3/4 c. cheese, shredded  (cheddar, mozzarella, colby...)

1/3 c. flour

1 egg

1 tsp. prepared mustard

In a small bowl, cream together butter, cheese, and flour.

Stir in your egg and mustard.

Dust hands with flour and shape rounded little teaspoons of dumpling mixture into small balls.  (I skip this step - too messy - I use the "drop dumpling" method.)

Lentil Soup

Luigi