Weed control au natural

I heard a rumor that white vinegar works as a natural weed killer, so I decided to put it to the test. Here are my findings: the vinegar works perfectly (and quickly) to zap low-growing weeds. Weeds with tall foliage (i.e. tall grass) only appeared to be burned. So, if you have dandelions in your yards or low growing weeds, the vinegar will do the trick in eliminating them without putting harmful chemicals into your soil or garden. Spray on!

*Note: I used a pump sprayer to apply.

Dry it or buy it?

Dried cherries are so delicious and so expensive. I decided to see if drying them myself in my dehydrator would be more economical. Alas, 2 pounds of cherries ($6) yielded only one cup once dried. I can buy the exact amount of dried cherries at the Fresh Market for, you guessed it, $6. So now you know: just buy the dried cherries! I'll keep you all posted on more dehydrating adventures to come...

Golden Egg

Here's the latest golden egg yard sale find! I needed a craft/school cabinet, but didn't want to spend much. I found this horribly dilapidated cabinet at a yard sale. The "bones" were good and I loved the lip that runs around the top- perfect for containing papers and projects! I decided to give it a shot.

Here's the prize! Scratched, gouged, and let's not overlook the Sharpie graffiti!

The top, with some weird mix of glue and asbestos flooring.

The finished product: white paint, new handles, and plenty of elbow grease.
Cost: $30 (cabinet, handles and paint)

Easy Transport

The next time you're delivering muffins or cupcakes, nestle them into a shirt box filled with paper shreds. Not only will the treats arrive in pristine condition, but they'll look pretty sharp too. The best part is that the box and shreds are disposable.
*Thanks Susi, for the tip!

Decorator's Notebook

To simplify home decorating, start by keeping a decorator's notebook. Fill a binder with paint swatches, fabric swatches, and carpet samples of what you currently have as well as photos torn from magazines of décor that you like. Organize the binder with a tab for each room for easy reference and you're all set. Take the binder with you when you shop for curtains, paint, or accessories for quick and easy matching.

Summer Cake Recipe

This cake is so refreshing on a hot summer day and is a nice low-fat option too. Make one today and keep it in the freezer on standby. (Just try to ignore the radioactive blue reflection from the metallic plate!)

Light Summer Cake

1 angel food cake
1 8oz tub Cool Whip
1 can fat free sweetened condensed milk
2 limes, zested and juiced

Combine Cool Whip, milk, juice, and zest. Slice the cake laterally and frost. Cover and freeze. Slice and serve frozen.

*Mix things up by adding crushed berries or changing the juice and zest. Use light or fat free Cool Whip and milk to lighten.

Ticks

Well folks, tick season is upon us. If you find yourself removing a tick, be sure to place the tick in a plastic bag and store it in the freezer. If you develop a rash or bulls-eye pattern around the bite, you can take the offending tick to the doctor for testing to see if it carries Lyme's disease. By doing this, you'll prevent unnecessary medication for yourself and avoid expensive testing.

*What to eradicate ticks from your yard naturally? Try buying a few Guinea hens as pets. Two Guineas per acre will keep your yard tick-free. An added bonus: they also eat snakes!

Happy Independance Day!

Happy July 4th, friends! On your way to your holiday cookout, stop by your local Ace Hardware store for some great deals. Here are a few standouts from the ad:
Quart of motor oil: $1.99
50 count fertilizer spikes $0.19
Stanley hand tools $1.99
30 pack of AA batteries for $6.99

*Be sure to use your Ace rewards card for the deals. Sale runs through July3-8. These items are great for hurricane preparation or stocking stuffers!

Allergy - Free Amazing Pesto Pasta

This is an original recipe I have been experimenting with for family members with multiple food allergies. It is packed with flavor and nobody will suspect - allergy free!

Pesto:
Throw into your food processor
3 cloves garlic
2-3 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
Juice of half a lemon
Olive oil (enough to get a good consistency - about 1/3 - 1/2 cup)

Boil pasta of choice, I used brown rice pasta. Mix hot pasta with pesto and top with grilled chicken, sautéed scallops, fish or white beans to make it meatless. Leftovers are just as delicious the next day - that is if you have them!