Household/Gardening Tips
By Suzanne

Greetings from Suzanne

Many of us just never seem to have enough space in our homes. I have come up with several solutions to make the most out of small spaces and a few ideas to used our "wasted space".

Also in this months article, I have included a few natural ways to add a inviting aroma to our homes.

As always a few tips and tricks and last but not least a special treat for Pups.

Enjoy and wishing all a safe, happy, healthy and wonderful month ahead.

Making the Most Out of Small Spaces

Use your vertical space. For example, go with a bookcase that goes floor to ceiling instead of a shorter one that just catches clutter ontop.

Multipurpose furniture. An example is an ottoman that opens for storage or a trunk or chest doubling as a coffee table.

Use the backs of room doors and the insides of cabinet doors.

Use the perimeter of the room. Install shelves eighteen inches below the ceiling on all or some of the walls.

Store items under the bed.

Hang items like pots and pans.

A decorator table with a floor length tablecloth disguises storage area underneath.

An alternative to the no mudroom dilemma is to place a bakers rack in the entryway. The shelves and cabinets should do the trick.

Try an armoire for small spaces, as a craft area, as a home office, as a work and tool area, as a bar, as a gardening area, as a laundry station etc.

Another creative storage solution for the living space is to substitute a trunk for your coffee table; it offers a large amount of storage in addition to making a distinct statement. An ottoman with storage inside and a tray on top makes a table when needed and extra seating at other times. A small chest of drawers works well as an end table.

Instead of buying new you can modify an existing coffee table or end table to make it more functional. Place a basket, container, or rolling bin beneath the table to make use of the previously wasted space.

Store spare towels in the bathroom. Short on space? Here are some creative storage options. Roll the towels so you can fit more on the shelf. Store rolled towels in a wall-mounted towel rack or a wine rack. You can also purchase a towel stand, which fits about ten folded towels, or stand rolled towels on end in a basket.

Natural Aromatic Scents For the Home

Add to a pot of water any combination of allspice, cloves, orange peel, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract and fresh ginger, and simmer the mixture slowly on the stove.

Want to give your home that "what's in the oven" fragrance? Consider the idea I call "faking baking": Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar in a tin pie pan and burn it slowly on the stove top over very low temperature or very low flame.

The ultimate litter box deodorizer? For every 5 pounds of litter, add 2 teaspoons dried mint and 1 cup baking soda.

For simple fridge fresheners, cotton balls soaked in vanilla, or an open container of coffee grounds (even used coffee grounds!), do the trick.

To fill your living room with a spicy aroma, throw orange or tangerine peels, pinecones or potpourri into your fire.

To fill each room with a sweet scent, fill a length of panty hose loosely with your favorite spice blend, tie it at both ends and place it inside a hot air vent.

Household Tips and Tricks

Zippers won't stick if you rub them with the edge of a bar of soap.

Nail polish remover removes tar and grease from white leather shoes.

White shoe polish won't smear if you spray the shoe with hair spray after it is dry.

New white canvas shoes will stay that way if you spray them heavily with starch. them.

Perk up soggy lettuce by soaking in cold water with some lemon juice.

To store place in a zip lock bag with paper towel to absorb moisture.

Wax paper is endlessly useful. Use it: To catch grated cheese, to place under seasoned flour for breading or spices for blackening, to tear into strips to slip under a cake you are icing, to cover a dish you are microwaving.

Instead of using plastic wrap to cover bowls in the microwave, cover a round heatproof glass bowl with a round heatproof glass casserole cover or with an inverted heatproof glass bowl of the same size. A heat-resistant round glass pizza pan also works well, and the overhang makes removal and recovery both safe and easy.

Use top-quality typewriter correction fluid to cover nicks, chips, and scratches on enameled ranges and refrigerators, porcelain tiles, and sinks. Works like a charm and it comes in a variety of colors.

When laundering clothes, add detergent to the washer first. Pouring detergent on clothing can cause fabrics to fade.

Place a piece of white chalk in your silver chest or jewel box to absorb moisture and help prevent tarnishing of silverware and jewelry.

Wiping the inside of the fridge with vinegar helps prevent mildew because acid kills mildew fungus.

Crumbled newspapers lining the vegetable compartments of a refrigerator will keep veggies crisp.

To keep your extension cords from getting tangled, insert them into a empty toilet paper roll to store.

Refrigerate candles for several hours before lighting; it will cause fewer drips.

Lemon extract will remove scuff marks from luggage.

Place bay leaves in kitchen drawers and in flour and sugar sacks to keep crawling insects away.

Pup Treat

Cheesy dogs: Most dogs naturally love cheese. Usually dog's just can't resist cheese. If you see that your dog is having problems eating his food, you could help him by adding a little grated cheese in his food bowl. He might consider eating it just because of the cheese. Bare in mind though, that cheese is pretty strong and should not be used in excess. It should be used sparingly especially to dogs who are dieting.

Ingredients

¼ cup cheddar cheese grated
¼ cup cottage cheese
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
½ teaspoon saltbr>
¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Heat oven to 200 C.
Mix cheddar and cottage cheese together in a large mixing bowl. Put in oil, and Worcestershire sauce. Then very slowly mix in the four. Mix until the dough can easily be molded.

Divide the flour into pieces and shape into little marble size balls. Rolls these into the chopped walnuts. Place these onto an ungreased baking sheet and bake them for 18 – 20 minutes, or until you see that they are golden brown. Store after they have cooled in a container in the refrigerator.

Makes 24 cookies