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Homemade Deer Repellant

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Deer can be cute when you’re on a nature walk, but they can be a nuisance and ravage your garden if you live in the country. Here’s a cheap and easy homemade deer repellant recipe that will keep them away without hurting them!

Homemade Deer Repellant Recipe

We live in the country and the deer just have a grand time eating my garden. We don’t have the money to fence it all in right now and I sure won’t pay a huge amount for “organic” deer repellant.

There are many different recipes for this but many are just some form of these basic ingredients. Some have hot pepper in them. I don’t recommend using hot pepper for any kind of animal repellant because it can get in their eyes and not knowing any better can rub them and in some cases this will cause them to go blind.

Here is an easy you can use at home that is safe and most of all cheap!

Tawra

This makes 1 gallon of spray. Beat 1 egg in 1 cup of water and sieve to get out white strings or clumps. Add to a gallon jug, mark your bottle – deer repellent, so no one drinks it.

Add:

  • 1 Tablespoon of regular dish soap
  • 1 Tablespoon of cooking oil
  • 1/2 cup milk

Fill jug partially with water, shake to mix, finish filling gallon jug with water.

Refrigerate, it can get smelly.  Fill your spray bottle and spray your trees, lilacs, and plants. Don’t spray on anything you want to eat. Spray after every heavy rainfall.

After 3-4 times the deer get the hint and quit coming. In early spring spray in the morning so it doesn’t freeze on the plant.

The post Homemade Deer Repellant appeared first on - Living on a Dime.


Homemade Slime Recipe – Fun For Kids!

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Here’s a fun and easy homemade slime recipe that the kids will love! It’s easy to make and great for all kinds of parties.

Homemade Slime Recipe - Fun For Kids
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Homemade Slime Recipe

1/2 cup white glue
6 Tbsp. water
food coloring
1-4 tsp. Borax
1-4 Tbsp. water

Mix the glue, 6 tablespoons water and food coloring until the glue is dissolved. In a separate bowl, dissolve 1 teaspoon borax into 1 tablespoon water. Add to the glue solution. You will get a very thick clump of slime when the two mix. Pull the clump of slime out of the glue mixture and put it in a separate bowl.

Mix another batch of the borax solution and add to the remaining glue mixture. Repeat until all the glue mixture is used (about 3-4 times).

With clean hands, knead the slime to get it to mix. This will take about 10 minutes and is not very difficult as the slime easily separates between your fingers.

If you desire a looser, more slimy texture, knead in a bit more water. The more water you add, the slimier it gets.

 This is great for Halloween entertaining. Store in an airtight container. This slime recipe can easily be doubled, tripled or quadrupled.

For more easy kids recipes like this that they are sure to enjoy, check out our Dining On A Dime Cookbook!

 

The post Homemade Slime Recipe – Fun For Kids! appeared first on - Living on a Dime.

Ranch Dressing Recipe – Ranch Dip Recipe

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This homemade ranch dressing recipe is quick and easy to make and is versatile for salads, vegetables and many other foods. It also makes an easy party dip!

Homemade Ranch Dressing and Ranch Dip Recipe

Homemade ranch dressing is quick and easy to make and is versatile for salads, vegetables and lots of other foods. It also makes an easy a party dip!

Ranch Dressing Recipe – Ranch Dip Recipe

1 cup mayonnaise (low-fat may be used)
1 cup buttermilk
2 Tbsp. green onions, minced (tops only or chives)
1/4 tsp. onion powder or 1 Tbsp. fresh onions, minced
2 tsp. parsley, minced
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. garlic powder or 1/2 to 1 garlic clove, finely minced
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper

Combine ingredients in a container with a lid and refrigerate before serving. Makes 2 cups. For Ranch Dip, use sour cream or yogurt in place of buttermilk.

 

Lower Your Food Bill With Food You Family Will Love!

Would you like to serve food that will lower your grocery bill and your family will love to eat?

Click here to get the Dining On A Dime Cookbook, with tasty recipes and great tips to make your life easier and save you money!

 

The post Ranch Dressing Recipe – Ranch Dip Recipe appeared first on - Living on a Dime.

Homemade Enchilada Sauce Recipe

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This homemade enchilada sauce recipe is quick and easy to make! It’s great when you don’t happen to have any enchilada sauce on hand or you want to save a little money!

Homemade Enchilada Sauce Recipe. Click here to get this easy recipe and save!

Homemade Enchilada Sauce Recipe

1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 Tbsp. chili powder
5 Tbsp. green pepper, chopped (optional)
1 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. salt (more to taste)

Combine all ingredients in saucepan, mixing well. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened. Makes 2 cups.

This recipe is from the Dining On A Dime Cookbook. For more quick and easy recipes your family will love, check it out here!

 

The post Homemade Enchilada Sauce Recipe appeared first on - Living on a Dime.

7 Layer Bar Cookies Recipe

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Yummy Homemade 7 Layer Bar Cookies Recipe

Yummy Homemade 7 Layer Bar Cookies Recipe 

This yummy 7 Layer Bar Cookies Recipe make a delicious treat your whole family will love! They are great for parties or anytime you need a great dessert!

7 Layer Cookies

1 stick (1/2 cup) margarine
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1-2 cups flake coconut
1 pkg. (6 oz.) chocolate chips
1 pkg. (6 oz.) butterscotch chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup nuts, chopped

Melt margarine in a 9×13 pan. Add the rest of the ingredients in layers. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes. Cut into bars when cool.

(If you need some delicious and easy recipes that your family will love, you’ll definitely want to check out our Dining On A Dime Cookbook.)

 

The post 7 Layer Bar Cookies Recipe appeared first on - Living on a Dime.

Easy Finger Paints Recipe – How To Make Finger Paint

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Kids love finger painting! Our six year old could finder paint every day and never get tired of it! Here is a quick and easy homemade finger paint recipe to make homemade finger paint with ingredients you already have at home! It’s a great indoor activity for kids!

Easy Homemade Finger Paint Recipe - How To Make Finger Paint

Easy Finger Paints Recipe

1/4 cup cornstarch
2 cups water

Mix in saucepan and boil until thick. Then pour into a jar and add food coloring until the desired shade is achieved. Store covered in the refrigerator.

 

This Easy Finger Paint Recipe is from our cookbook:

Lower Your Food Bill With Food You Family Will Love!

Would you like to serve food that will lower your grocery bill and your family will love to eat?

Click here to get the Dining On A Dime Cookbook, with tasty recipes and great tips to make your life easier and save you money!

 

The post Easy Finger Paints Recipe – How To Make Finger Paint appeared first on - Living on a Dime.

Easy Homemade Snickerdoodles Recipe And Jar Mix

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This easy homemade snickerdoodles recipe is a tasty treat that everyone loves! You’ll also find instructions to make a jar mix that’s perfect for gift giving!

This easy homemade snickerdoodles recipe is a tasty treat that everyone loves! You'll also find instructions to make a jar mix that's perfect for gift giving!

I don’t know many people who don’t just love snickerdoodles! My kids can eat an entire batch in one sitting… If there are any left by the time they get home from school! This easy snickerdoodles recipe makes a snack that’s great for keeping on hand for an after school snack or giving as a gift to friends. If you want you can make several batches and keep them in a the cupboard and then have fresh snickerdoodles any time! Of course, if you are gift giving, save pretty jars or mason jars to put the mix in. Put a pretty ribbon around the top and you have a quick and easy gift!

Easy Homemade Snickerdoodles Recipe And Jar Mix

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 1/2 cups sugar

In a large bowl, combine the ingredients and mix well. Store the mix in an airtight container. Makes 1 batch.

Attach this note to the jar:

Snickerdoodles

1 cup shortening or butter
2 eggs
1 jar Snickerdoodle
Mix 2 Tbsp. sugar and 2 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400°. In a large bowl, cream the butter with a mixer until light. Add the eggs and beat on low speed until the mixture is smooth. Add the Snickerdoodle Mix and continue to beat on low speed until the dough begins to form. Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Shape the dough into quarter sized balls and roll in the cinnamon-sugar blend. Arrange on ungreased baking sheets 2 inches apart and bake for 8-10 minutes or until light brown. Cool on wire racks. Makes 5 dozen cookies.

This easy homemade snickerdoodles recipe is from our cookbook:

Lower Your Food Bill With Food You Family Will Love!

Would you like to serve food that will lower your grocery bill and your family will love to eat?

Click here to get the Dining On A Dime Cookbook, with tasty recipes and great tips to make your life easier and save you money!

 

The post Easy Homemade Snickerdoodles Recipe And Jar Mix appeared first on - Living on a Dime.

How To Make Homemade Flour Tortillas – Flour Tortillas Recipe

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Using this easy homemade flour tortillas recipe from our Dining On A Dime Cookbook, it’s simple to make yummy homemade tortillas at home using ingredients you already have in your kitchen!

Using this easy homemade flour tortillas recipe, it's simple to make yummy homemade tortillas at home using ingredients you already have in your kitchen!

 

Homemade Flour Tortillas Recipe

3 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup warm water

Blend all the ingredients except water until the consistency of oatmeal. Add water and blend with fingers. Knead on a floured board 5 minutes. Cover, let rest 1/2 hour. Roll into 8 balls. Let rest 45 minutes. Flatten balls until very thin and cook in hot ungreased skillet until each side is slightly browned. Makes 8 tortillas.

 

This Homemade Flour Tortillas Recipe is from our cookbook:

Lower Your Food Bill With Food You Family Will Love!

Would you like to serve food that will lower your grocery bill and your family will love to eat?

Click here to get the Dining On A Dime Cookbook, with tasty recipes and great tips to make your life easier and save you money!

 

The post How To Make Homemade Flour Tortillas – Flour Tortillas Recipe appeared first on - Living on a Dime.


Homemade All Purpose Cleaner Recipe

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This homemade all purpose cleaner recipe makes my absolutely favorite cleaner for my house! I pretty much use this cleaner for 90% of the cleaning done around my house. I just use the Dawn but if you need something a little stronger you can use ammonia.  It’s in our book and I just love the way it makes everything from windows to sinks and toilets shine!

 
Homemade All Purpose Cleaner Recipe - 5 Homemade Cleaners You Didn’t Know You Could Make at Home - Click Here For The Easy Recipe!

Homemade All Purpose Cleaner Recipe

1 gallon water
 Dawn dishsoap (2 tsp.) OR 1 cup ammonia
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup baking soda

Combine all ingredients. Put in a spray bottle to clean showers, toilets, sinks and counters. Great for most cleaning needs. Use all-purpose cleaner to clean your floors. Just spray on and wipe off as you would counter-tops.

This is not a disinfectant. To make it a disinfectant too I add about 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol  to the bottle.

 

Lower Your Food Bill With Food You Family Will Love!

Would you like to serve food that will lower your grocery bill and your family will love to eat?

Click here to get the Dining On A Dime Cookbook, with tasty recipes and great tips to make your life easier and save you money!

 

The post Homemade All Purpose Cleaner Recipe appeared first on - Living on a Dime.

Homemade Deer Repellant

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0

Deer can be cute when you’re on a nature walk, but they can be a nuisance and ravage your garden if you live in the country. Here’s a cheap and easy homemade deer repellant recipe that will keep them away without hurting them!

Homemade Deer Repellant Recipe

We live in the country and the deer just have a grand time eating my garden. We don’t have the money to fence it all in right now and I sure won’t pay a huge amount for “organic” deer repellant.

There are many different recipes for this but many are just some form of these basic ingredients. Some have hot pepper in them. I don’t recommend using hot pepper for any kind of animal repellant because it can get in their eyes and not knowing any better can rub them and in some cases this will cause them to go blind.

Here is an easy you can use at home that is safe and most of all cheap!

Tawra

This makes 1 gallon of spray. Beat 1 egg in 1 cup of water and sieve to get out white strings or clumps. Add to a gallon jug, mark your bottle – deer repellent, so no one drinks it.

Add:

  • 1 Tablespoon of regular dish soap
  • 1 Tablespoon of cooking oil
  • 1/2 cup milk

Fill jug partially with water, shake to mix, finish filling gallon jug with water.

Refrigerate, it can get smelly.  Fill your spray bottle and spray your trees, lilacs, and plants. Don’t spray on anything you want to eat. Spray after every heavy rainfall.

After 3-4 times the deer get the hint and quit coming. In early spring spray in the morning so it doesn’t freeze on the plant.

The post Homemade Deer Repellant appeared first on - Living on a Dime.

Homemade Slime Recipe – Fun For Kids!

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Here’s a fun and easy homemade slime recipe that the kids will love! It’s easy to make and great for all kinds of parties.

Homemade Slime Recipe - Fun For Kids
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Homemade Slime Recipe

1/2 cup white glue
6 Tbsp. water
food coloring
1-4 tsp. Borax
1-4 Tbsp. water

Mix the glue, 6 tablespoons water and food coloring until the glue is dissolved. In a separate bowl, dissolve 1 teaspoon borax into 1 tablespoon water. Add to the glue solution. You will get a very thick clump of slime when the two mix. Pull the clump of slime out of the glue mixture and put it in a separate bowl.

Mix another batch of the borax solution and add to the remaining glue mixture. Repeat until all the glue mixture is used (about 3-4 times).

With clean hands, knead the slime to get it to mix. This will take about 10 minutes and is not very difficult as the slime easily separates between your fingers.

If you desire a looser, more slimy texture, knead in a bit more water. The more water you add, the slimier it gets.

 This is great for Halloween entertaining. Store in an airtight container. This slime recipe can easily be doubled, tripled or quadrupled.

For more easy kids recipes like this that they are sure to enjoy, check out our Dining On A Dime Cookbook!

 

The post Homemade Slime Recipe – Fun For Kids! appeared first on - Living on a Dime.

Ranch Dressing Recipe – Ranch Dip Recipe

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This homemade ranch dressing recipe is quick and easy to make and is versatile for salads, vegetables and many other foods. It also makes an easy party dip!

Homemade Ranch Dressing and Ranch Dip Recipe

Homemade ranch dressing is quick and easy to make and is versatile for salads, vegetables and lots of other foods. It also makes an easy a party dip!

Ranch Dressing Recipe – Ranch Dip Recipe

1 cup mayonnaise (low-fat may be used)
1 cup buttermilk
2 Tbsp. green onions, minced (tops only or chives)
1/4 tsp. onion powder or 1 Tbsp. fresh onions, minced
2 tsp. parsley, minced
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. garlic powder or 1/2 to 1 garlic clove, finely minced
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper

Combine ingredients in a container with a lid and refrigerate before serving. Makes 2 cups. For Ranch Dip, use sour cream or yogurt in place of buttermilk.

 

Lower Your Food Bill With Food You Family Will Love!

Would you like to serve food that will lower your grocery bill and your family will love to eat?

Click here to get the Dining On A Dime Cookbook, with tasty recipes and great tips to make your life easier and save you money!

 

The post Ranch Dressing Recipe – Ranch Dip Recipe appeared first on - Living on a Dime.

Homemade Enchilada Sauce Recipe

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This homemade enchilada sauce recipe is quick and easy to make! It’s great when you don’t happen to have any enchilada sauce on hand or you want to save a little money!

Homemade Enchilada Sauce Recipe. Click here to get this easy recipe and save!

Homemade Enchilada Sauce Recipe

1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 Tbsp. chili powder
5 Tbsp. green pepper, chopped (optional)
1 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. salt (more to taste)

Combine all ingredients in saucepan, mixing well. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened. Makes 2 cups.

This recipe is from the Dining On A Dime Cookbook. For more quick and easy recipes your family will love, check it out here!

 

The post Homemade Enchilada Sauce Recipe appeared first on - Living on a Dime.

Easy Candy Bar Homemade Milkshakes Recipe

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This easy candy bar homemade milkshakes recipe is a tasty way to have a gourmet tasting milkshake in minutes without having to spend the high price of a specialty milkshake out! It’s easy to change this recipe to add any kind of candy you like! You can also easily add fruit like cherries or strawberries.

This recipe is not in our cookbook, but you can recipes like this including smoothie and milkshake recipes in our Dining On A Dime Cookbook beginning on page 39.

This easy candy bar homemade milkshakes recipe is a tasty way to have a gourmet tasting milkshake in minutes without having to spend the high price of a specialty milkshake out! It's easy to change this recipe to add any kind of candy you like! You can also easily add fruit like cherries or strawberries.

Easy Candy Bar Homemade Milkshakes Recipe

1 cup mini candy bars, chopped
2 cups (1 pint) ice cream (chocolate or vanilla)
1/2 cup chocolate syrup
1 1/4 cups milk

Chop candies in a food processor. They are easier to chop if they are partially frozen. Add the rest of the ingredients. Mix until blended. This makes a thick shake. Add 1/4 cup milk for a thinner shake. Makes 2 milkshakes.

 

This easy homemade milkshakes recipe is from our cookbook:

Lower Your Food Bill With Food You Family Will Love!

Would you like to serve food that will lower your grocery bill and your family will love to eat?

Click here to get the Dining On A Dime Cookbook, with tasty recipes and great tips to make your life easier and save you money!

 

The post Easy Candy Bar Homemade Milkshakes Recipe appeared first on - Living on a Dime.

Walnut Butter Cookies Recipe

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This Walnut Butter Cookies recipe is my favorite Christmas cookie! My mom made these every year as i grew up! I’m sure you’ll love them, too!

Walnut Butter Cookies Recipe

Walnut Butter Cookies Recipe

Fudge is my favorite Christmas candy and this is my favorite Christmas cookie. My mom made these every year. I remember getting up at 5 in the morning before everyone else to get ready for school. I would sit on the kitchen floor with my dog and  pop  one of these cookies into my mouth and then pop one into my dog’s. We both loved our early morning treat sooo much.

Walnut Butter Cookies

1 cup butter
6 Tbsp. sugar
2 cups flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup nuts
powdered sugar

Cream butter and sugar together. Add flour, vanilla and nuts. Roll into walnut sized balls onto a greased cookie sheet and lightly flatten. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, place on waxed paper and sprinkle with or roll in powdered sugar.

For more delicious quick and easy recipes like this, check out our Dining On A Dime Cookbook!

The post Walnut Butter Cookies Recipe appeared first on - Living on a Dime.


Homemade Easter Egg Dye – Decorating Eggs – Natural Dyes

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In this post, you’ll find great ideas and easy instructions for decorating Easter eggs including the traditional method, natural Easter egg dyes and other creative decorating suggestions.

Homemade Easter Egg Dye - Decorating Easter Eggs And Natural Dyes

Decorating Easter Eggs And Natural Easter Egg Dyes

OK, so the kids noticed on the calendar that Easter is approaching and they want to make a huge production of decorating Easter eggs. In the past, the little stickers you bought at the store sufficed, but now they want the real thing. Here are some old standards for egg dying with a few new ideas for you.

One important note: When the kids get really excited about egg dying, don’t feel sorry for them and pour the left over egg dye in their bath water so they can have more fun (no matter how much they beg and plead! Especially if it’s food coloring). Someone might panic and declare a citywide medical quarantine if they see your kids dyed all sorts of strange colors in their Easter finery.

Before decorating Easter eggs, cover the entire table with newspaper. Keep a huge roll of paper towels or rags handy for messes. Have each kid wear one of dad’s old (now disposable) tee shirts.

Making Easter Egg Stands

Cut toilet paper roll cores into one inch cylinders and use for egg stands. Decorate with stickers or paint.

 

Decorating Easter Eggs

 

How To Dye Easter Eggs - Homemade Easter Egg Dyes
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Traditional Method

How to dye Easter Eggs

1) Hard boil eggs.

2) Fill several mugs with boiling water and add 1-2 tsp. vinegar.

3) Place a few drops of desired food coloring in each mug.

4) Place eggs in mugs for several minutes until eggs reach desired shades.

5) Remove with a spoon. Place on paper towel to dry. When dry, polish with a small amount of shortening on a paper towel. Buff until glossy.

You can draw or write on the eggs with a light colored or white crayon before dipping. The drawing will remain white after the egg is dipped.

To clean out mugs, put a little bleach water in the cups and soak for a few minutes.

 

Natural Easter Egg Dyes - How To Dye Easter Eggs
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Natural Easter Egg Dyes

If you would like to try decorating Easter eggs with natural dyes, try the following:

  • Yellow— yellow onion skins, turmeric (1/2 tsp. per cup water) celery leaves
  • Orange–any yellow dye plus beet juice
  • Red–beets, paprika, red onion skins
  • Pink–cranberry juice
  • Blue–blackberries, grape juice concentrate, red cabbage
  • Brown–black tea, white oak, juniper berry, coffee, barberry
  • Light purple–blackberries, grapes, violets
  • Green–alfalfa, spinach, kale, violet blossom plus 1/4 tsp. baking soda, tansy, nettle, chervil, sorrel, parsley, carrot tops, beet tops or dip yellow egg in blue dye

Hard boil eggs with 1 tsp. vinegar in the water. Place dying ingredients in non-aluminum pans, cover with water and boil 5 minutes to 1 hour until desired color is achieved. Use enough material to make at least 1 cup dye. Crush ingredients as they boil to extract as much dye as possible. Strain the dye. Most dyes should be used hot. Let each egg sit in the dye until it reaches the desired color. Some dyes will take longer than others to make the desired colored on the egg. Remove the egg and let dry.

Glitter Eggs – Place 1 tablespoon each of glue and water in a cup. Stir the mixture and then paint the eggs with it. Sprinkle with glitter. This can also add sparkle to already dyed eggs!

Decoupaged Eggs – Tear small pieces of wrapping paper, napkins, stickers, or clip art. Mix equal amounts of glue and water. Paint egg with glue mixture. Place paper on top and then cover with more glue mixture. Let dry.

dying Easter eggs - speckled eggs

Spotted Eggs – Place 1 tsp. of cooking oil in dye. Dip the egg. The oil will cause the dye to make an irregular pattern on the egg.

Waxed Eggs – Dip a portion of the eggs in melted paraffin or candle wax. Then dip them in the dye. Remove from dye. Dry and peel off the wax. The egg will be white on one half and colored on the other half. You can also dip in dye before waxing to get two colors.

Hollow Eggs – Poke a hole in one end of an egg with a very small needle. Poke another slightly larger hole in the other end. Then blow on the small end and the egg will come out the other side. Decorate Easter eggs as desired.

 

 

The post Homemade Easter Egg Dye – Decorating Eggs – Natural Dyes appeared first on - Living on a Dime.

27 Cheap But Cute Homemade Easter Basket Ideas

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Do you need good but inexpensive Easter gift ideas for the kids? Here are 27 cheap but cute homemade Easter basket ideas to save you money this Easter.

27 Cheap But Cute Homemade Easter Basket Ideas

27 Cheap But Cute Homemade Easter Basket Ideas

A reader asks:

Got any inexpensive ideas for Easter gifts for the kids? Also, do you have any ideas that would focus on the real meaning of Easter and not just bunnies and eggs?

Easter is a great time of the year to celebrate, especially if you have the hope that comes from Jesus Christ and His resurrection. Here are some ideas for Easter gifts. Try some of them and if the creative juices start flowing, make up some of your own! You might also try our Resurrection Eggs, which are a great idea to help your family remember why we celebrate Easter.

 

Easter Baskets:

You can find inexpensive Easter baskets at garage sales and thrift stores. I never spend more than .25 for one.

If you don’t have Easter baskets, you can also use:

  • Plain wicker baskets
  • Baskets spray painted an Easter color
  • A cute straw hat
  • A pail for the sandbox
  • A bowl wrapped in tissue paper
  • Paper sacks that the kids decorate. Cut out pictures from magazines or use stickers. Glue or stick them on and then paint or color around them.
  • Any sort of plastic storage container. These often can be used later for storage.
  • For a “family” Easter basket, set a nice plate on the table with Easter grass and goodies arranged on the plate or platter. This is great when you have older kids.

Fillers for Easter Baskets:

  • Buy candy after Christmas or Valentine’s Day at half price and keep to fill Easter baskets.
  • Make Easter cookies in the shapes of bunnies, eggs, crosses or any other Easter shape that comes to mind and decorate.
  • Popcorn Balls or Rice Krispie Treats colored in pastel colors.
  • String Froot Loops onto yarn and tie to make a necklace.
  • Don’t fill baskets. Instead put jelly beans and candy in plastic eggs so the kids can fill their own baskets. You can also put nickels, dimes, toy soldiers, bugs, stickers, barrettes or hair ribbons in the eggs. Hide them outside or in the house if you live in a climate where it’s usually cold on Easter.
  • Make coupons for getting out of chores, staying up late one night, having a friend over for a sleep over or a special dinner that they like.
  • Include like new books purchased at garage sales or thrift stores.
  • Homemade slime, play dough, sidewalk chalk, bubbles or the ingredients for crystal gardens.
  • Wacky crayons‑ Crayon pieces melted together in a muffin tin to make a “big” crayon.
  • Flower seeds that the kids can grow
  • Mini-stuffed animals purchased at garage sales or on clearance the year before.
  • Paper dolls or coloring books. There are many available on the Internet that you can print yourself.
  • For teenagers, put these items in baskets: lotions, soaps, suntan lotions, fingernail polish, movie tickets, tickets for getting out of a chore, ticket for $5 worth of car gas, clothes purchased on clearance and of course lots of candy!
  • Leave a trail of jelly beans or candy kisses from their rooms to their Easter baskets.
  • Easter Kisses

    Put some Hershey Kisses or chocolate chips in a plastic bag and attach the following poem:

    This cute little bunny has hopped all day
    Been delivering baskets for the holiday.
    His paws are so tired and his little nose itches.
    He left you something special – something to fill all your wishes.
    These cute little hugs and Easter kisses.

  • Put 1 Pound Jelly Beans into a bag and attach this poem:

    Jelly Beans Easter Party

    RED is for the blood He gave.
    GREEN is for the grass He made.
    YELLOW is for the sun so bright.
    ORANGE is for the edge of night.
    BLACK is for the sins we made.
    WHITE is for the grace he gave.
    PURPLE is for His hour of sorrow.
    PINK is for our new tomorrow.
    A bag full of jelly beans colorful and sweet,
    Is a prayer, is a promise, is a special treat.

  • Easter Carrot Treats

    Buy disposable plastic decorating bags and fill them with orange jelly beans or cheese balls. Then stick some green Easter grass in the top of the bag (leave some hanging out) and secure the bag with a rubber band and then ribbon so that it resembles a carrot.

The post 27 Cheap But Cute Homemade Easter Basket Ideas appeared first on - Living on a Dime.

Strawberry Recipes! Tasty And Easy Ways To Use Strawberries!

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Here are some easy and delicious strawberry recipes that are perfect for when you find a good sale or are just overwhelmed with strawberries! Here are some easy strawberry recipes and ideas of great ways to use strawberries for you!

Here are some easy and delicious strawberry recipes that are perfect for when you find a good sale or are just overwhelmed with strawberries! Here are some easy strawberry recipes and ideas of great ways to use strawberries for you!

How To Use Strawberries

Ah June! –In the spring we think of a mouth-watering strawberry patch. Now it has turned into a forest with enough strawberries to feed most of the U.S. Undaunted by the mounds of berries in our kitchen, we have visions of row after row of beautiful jars of strawberry jam on our shelves.

Then it happens! The first pot boils over leaving a red mess all over the stove, up on the walls and on the counters and floor. Hours later after the kitchen looks like World War III was fought in it we stand in our kitchen and proudly display our 2 pints of strawberry jam.

Don’t despair. Canning isn’t the only way to use excess strawberries. Here are some other suggestions to help you use strawberries:

yummy strawberry shake
  • Think small. Don’t plant too many plants in your garden. Plant just enough for what you need.
  • File all your recipes for fruits and veggies in order by the name of the fruit. Then when you need to find recipes for all the extra produce you can easily find several recipes.
  • To freeze berries: Throw extras into a bag and freeze. Don’t waste time freezing them on a tray, they do just as well thrown in a bag.
  • Use extra strawberries in milkshakes, homemade smoothies, homemade popsicles, and fruit gelatin.
  • Top on cereal or oatmeal; add milk for a cream flavor.

 

Easy Strawberry Jam Recipe

Easy Strawberry Jam Recipe

3 qts. fresh strawberries
3/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. lemon juice

In large microwave-safe bowl, combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cover loosely and microwave on high 15 seconds. Stir mixture to dissolve sugar.

Microwave on high, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Stir mixture well and check to see if it is done by putting a little on a spoon and placing it in the freezer for 5 minutes uncovered.

Look at the preserves on the spoon. They should be thick but not hard.

For slightly thicker preserves, microwave on high for another 5 minutes. For sweeter preserves, stir in a little more sugar then cook another minute.

Spoon preserves into jars and refrigerate or cool at room temperature; spoon into plastic bags and freeze. Makes 7 cups.

 

Strawberry Fruit Leather Recipe

Strawberry Fruit Leather Recipe

3 cups fresh or frozen strawberries*
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 Tbsp. light corn syrup

Place strawberries in a blender and process until smooth. Measure 2 cups of strawberry puree. Stir in lemon juice and corn syrup. Line a 15×10 inch jellyroll pan with heavy-duty plastic wrap and tape plastic wrap to the pan at the corners. Pour strawberry mixture in prepared pan and spread thin, leaving 1 inch on all sides. You can adjust this to fit your dehydrator or another pan; be sure it is spread thin on the pan. Dry in an oven at 150° or a dehydrator for 7-8 hours or until surface is no longer sticky. Remove leather from pan while still warm and roll up jellyroll fashion. Cut into logs and wrap in plastic wrap. Make five 2 inch logs.

*Any other fruit may be used in place of the strawberries.

Lower Your Food Bill With Food You Family Will Love!

Would you like to serve food that will lower your grocery bill and your family will love to eat?

Click here to get the Dining On A Dime Cookbook, with tasty recipes and great tips to make your life easier and save you money!

 

Smooth Strawberry Dessert

1 1/2 cup vanilla wafers (about 40 wafers), crushed
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 pkgs. (3 oz, each) strawberry Jello
1 cup boiling water
1 (16 oz.) package frozen strawberries, thawed
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
1 carton (12 oz.) whipped topping, thawed

Mix wafer crumbs, sugars and butter. Press into a 9×13 greased pan. Chill for 30 minutes. Dissolve Jello in boiling water. Stir in strawberries and milk. Chill for 30 minutes or until partially set. Fold in whipped topping, pour on crust and chill for 2 hours. 

 

Kiwi Lime Strawberry Dessert

This recipe calls for frozen strawberries but if you want to use fresh strawberries just chop the fresh strawberries and sprinkle with a little sugar. Let set overnight for a few hours and they will produce the juice that you need in the recipe.

The strawberry juice can be used to make strawberry sauce anytime for recipes like strawberry shortcake. Making it this way is much cheaper than buying the sauce in the packets and it tastes so much better. You can make any kind of berry sauce you want using the strawberry sauce recipe below. It requires no baking and it’s quick. Does it get any better than that?

1 large angel food cake, cut into cubes (about 12 cups)
2 (6 oz.) containers of custard vanilla yogurt
2 tsp. grated lime peel
1/4 cup lime juice
1 (8 oz.) container whipped topping
6 kiwi, peeled and sliced (use an egg slicer to cut your kiwi)

Arrange half of angel food cake cubes in a ungreased 13×9 pan. Mix lime peel, juice and yogurt. Fold in whipped topping. Spread half on cake cubes, pressing down to smooth. Arrange kiwi over it. Repeat cake and yogurt mix, pressing down. Lightly cover and chill several hours. Cut dessert into squares and top with strawberry sauce (below). Store in refrigerator.

 

Easy Strawberries And Cream Popsicles Recipe

Easy Strawberries And Cream Popsicles Recipe

1 cup strawberries
1/2 cup vanilla ice cream or yogurt
1 cup of milk
1 Tbsp. sugar

Blend the ingredients until smooth. Pour into molds and freeze.

 

Easy Strawberry Banana Popsicles Recipe

Easy Strawberry Banana Popsicles pic on post above

1 (3 oz.) package strawberry gelatin
1 cup boiling water
1 banana
1 cup yogurt or ice cream. Blend well and pour into molds.

Dissolve gelatin in water. In a blender, mix gelatin mixture, banana and yogurt. Pour into molds and freeze.

 

Easy Homemade Fruit Popsicles Recipe

Easy 2 Ingredient Fruit Popsicles

2 cups white grape juice
fruit (grapes, Mandarin oranges, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)

Place the fruit into molds and pour the juice over the top until filled. Freeze.

 

This easy strawberry mousse recipe makes a quick and easy strawberry dessert your kids are sure to love!

Easy Strawberry Mousse Recipe

2 tsp. unflavored gelatin
2 Tbsp. cold water
1/4 cup boiling water
1 1/3 cups instant strawberry drink mix (like Nestle’s strawberry)
2 cups heavy whipping cream
2 tsp. vanilla

Soften gelatin in cold water. Let stand 5 minutes. Stir in boiling water and keep stirring until gelatin is dissolved. Cool 10 minutes. Combine drink mix, whipping cream and gelatin mixture, beating until thickened. Beat in vanilla. Spoon into individual dishes. Chill for 1-2 hours. Serves 8.

 

This Berries on a Cloud Dessert Recipe makes a delicious light and fluffy dessert resembling meringue. It’s soft and sweet with a yummy strawberry flavor!

This Berries on a Cloud Dessert Recipe makes a delicious light and fluffy dessert resembling meringue. It’s soft and sweet with a yummy strawberry flavor!

Berries on a Cloud Dessert Recipe

Crust

6 egg whites
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1/4 salt
1 3/4 cup sugar

Filling

1 (8oz) pkg. cream cheese
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 (8 oz) container of whipped topping
2 cups mini marshmallows

Topping

1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 pint fresh strawberries

Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt until foamy. Add sugar, 1-2 Tbsp. at a time, until 1 3/4 cup is added. Continue to beat until stiff peaks. Spread into a greased 9×13 pan.

Bake for 1 hour, turn off oven and do not open the oven door. Leave in the oven with door closed for 12 hours.

After the 12 hours, mix cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Fold in whipped topping and marshmallows. Spread over meringue. Chill for 12 hours. Mix pie filling, lemon juice and strawberries and spoon over each serving.

 

Strawberry Dessert

This is probably one of my favorite desserts, partly because it is not too rich. It is a very light dessert. It is an especially good one to keep made up in the freezer for when unexpected company comes by.

I like to use it not only for graduation parties, but also for baby showers or any other get-together because I can make it a week ahead of time and that means one less thing to have to deal with the day of the special event!

Crust:

1 cup flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup nuts
1/2 cup butter, softened

Mix and slightly press or crumble into a 9×13 pan. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally while baking to make crumbly. When cooled, remove 1/3 of it to save to sprinkle on top of the dessert. Evenly spread out the remaining portion in the pan.

Topping:

2 egg whites
2/3 cup sugar
1 10oz. package of strawberries
2 Tbsp. lemon juice (must use)
1 small container whipped topping

Place first 4 ingredients in a large mixing bowl and beat at high speed for 10 minutes or until it forms stiff peaks. Be sure to use a large mixing bowl because this really increases in volume. Fold in whipped topping and spread over crust, Sprinkle with the 1/3 cup of crumbs you saved back. Freeze for 3-6 hours or overnight.

 

The post Strawberry Recipes! Tasty And Easy Ways To Use Strawberries! appeared first on - Living on a Dime.

Kids Recipes and Crafts – Play Dough Recipe – Homemade Slime

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Easy Edible Play Dough Recipe, Easy Bubbles and Homemade Slime are fun kids recipes and crafts that’ll keep your kids entertained for hours!

Homemade Edible Play Dough Recipe

The kids have been out of school for weeks now. You’re lying in your hammock with a gentle summer breeze softly cooling you and the sweet smell of summer flowers fills the air. Yeah, Right! Reality check! You have probably heard “I’m bored. I have nothing to do” a hundred times today!

Don’t run down the street panicking, wildly flinging your arms and screaming like a mad woman. I say this not because of what the neighbors might think. Most of the other moms would probably be hard on your heels. I just don’t believe in using any more energy than necessary.

Instead, peel Tarzan off the chandelier and catch Superman in the midst of his fifth flight from the top bunk bed, trying carefully not to tear his cape made from your favorite red silk blouse. With your free hand grab child #3 who is painting a great copy of the Mona Lisa on your bedroom wall. March the kids to the kitchen (there may be some resistance but you will prevail) and try these recipes. Who knows? Between these and a small miracle you might just get to swing in the hammock yet. (But then again, probably not!)

Try these easy craft recipes including a homemade play dough recipe, a homemade slime recipe and other stuff your kids will love!- Jill

 

Homemade Slime Recipe For Kids
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Homemade Slime Recipe

1/2 cup white glue
6 Tbsp. water
food coloring
1-4 tsp. Borax
1-4 Tbsp. water

Mix the glue, 6 tablespoons water and food coloring until it is dissolved. In a separate bowl, dissolve 1 teaspoon borax into 1 tablespoon water. Add to the glue solution. You will get a very thick clump of slime when the two mix. Pull the clump of slime out of the glue mixture and put it in a separate bowl. Mix another batch of the borax solution and add it to the remaining glue mixture. Repeat until all the glue mixture is used (about 3-4 times).

With clean hands, knead the slime to mix. This will take about 10 minutes and is not very difficult as the slime easily separates between your fingers. If a looser, more slimy texture is desired, knead in a bit more water. The more water you add, the slimier it gets. The slime doesn’t leave a residue and doesn’t get stuck on anything. This is great for Halloween entertaining. Store in an airtight container. This can easily be doubled, tripled or quadrupled.

 

Homemade Edible Play Dough Recipe
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Edible Play Dough Recipe

1/3 cup margarine
1/3 cup light corn syrup
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract or flavorings
1 lb. powdered sugar
food coloring (optional)

Mix first 4 ingredients together. Add powdered sugar. Knead it. Divide and add food coloring. Keep the homemade play dough refrigerated to keep from spoiling when not in use. You can replace vanilla with flavored extracts to give flavor other than just plain sweetness.

 

Easy Homemade Bubbles Recipe
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Homemade Bubbles Recipe

1/4 cup liquid dishwashing detergent (Non-ultra Dawn works best)
1/2 cup water
1 Tbsp. sugar

Put the dishwashing detergent in the water. Carefully stir in sugar trying to avoid suds. Take a regular drinking straw and cut into 4 pieces. Then dip into the solution and blow your bubbles. Tie a rope loop up to a foot in diameter on the end of a stick and make a gallon of bubbles. Dip the rope in the bubbles and run with them. This will give you giant bubbles.

Tip: A friend who made bubbles professionally (The Bubble Man) told us on many occasions that Non-Ultra Dawn liquid soap makes the best bubbles. 

For more fun homemade kids recipes like these, check out our Dining On A Dime Cookbook!

 

The post Kids Recipes and Crafts – Play Dough Recipe – Homemade Slime appeared first on - Living on a Dime.

Easy Cake Baking Tips

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Easy Cake Baking Tips

Cake Baking Tips

Whether you’re making homemade cake or baking cake from a mix, it’s always helpful to have a collection of tricks that make your baking easier! Try these easy cake baking tips and save time making fluffier cakes!

  • Use chocolate drink mix or cocoa to flour your cake pans when making a dark cake (like chocolate).
  • Homemade pan grease: 2 parts solid vegetable shortening – 1 part flour. Mix and place in a container. I keep a paper towel in mine that I use to rub it into the pan.
  • Add 1 tsp. lemon juice in your cake recipe when creaming butter and sugar to make the cake fluffier. If you keep it on hand, you can also use 1 Tbsp. meringue powder to do the same thing. Meringue powder is found in your cake decorating section at Wal-Mart.
  • Another way to lighten a cake is to separate the eggs, beat the whites and fold them in at the end of mixing.
  • Cream the butter well (5 minutes) when making a cake. This adds air to it and also helps make a lighter cake.
  • Line the bottom of the pan with wax paper. This is an extra step but it makes it so much easier getting the cake out of the pan and really saves time in the long run. To get the right size of wax paper just set the pan on a piece of wax paper and trace around the pan with the point of the scissors. It leaves enough of a mark for you to see to cut around.
  • Soften leftover custard in the microwave for a few seconds and use between the layers of a cake (like a Boston cream pie) or to frost a cake.

For more cake baking tips along with lots of easy home cooked recipes, grab a copy of our Dining On A Dime Cookbook!

photo by: southernfoodwaysalliance

The post Easy Cake Baking Tips appeared first on - Living on a Dime.

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