Helpful Tips

My friend, Jean has sent me more helpful tips.  This time it's about food and I just had to share it with you.

This sounds like fun.  It looks pretty and gosh... does this make your wine even healthier?

OK, you didn't know there was a use for your old CD spindles, right?  Here it is!

I don't make balogna sandwiches much anymore, but here's a way to solve your empty corner problem.

I've never tried this, but I will... if I remember.  Have you done this?

POSTSCRIPT:
I just looked this up on Internet and found that the wooden spoon will stop it from boiling over as quickly, but it can still boil over.  Also, it can warp your spoon so you should use one that you don't much care for.

I really like this idea.  This would be great for outdoor parties, don't you think?

If you have a small cookbook to hold up or a recipe on a sheet, this would be wonderful!

I'm almost tempted to buy a roll or cake to try using some floss to cut it.

Now this is sure a fun way to make some cute little hors d'oeuvres. 

I like this idea, but does this mean I can keep some batter in the fridge to use later?

That would be nice.

And who would have thought to do this?

Granted I don't drink soft drinks with a straw that often anymore, but I know some people who do.

What fun!

And that's it for now... until Jean sends me something else to share.

Helpful Tips

One of the gifts Tiffany brought with her to Hawaii for me was this new kind of can opener.  I was very dubious at first and it took a bit of practice to get it working right, but eventually I got the hang of it.

Then I saw this tuna can press on a blogger friend's post and went to Bed, Bath and Beyond to buy it a while ago.  If you are that wonderful blogger friend, please let me know who you are because I'd like to give you credit.  It really works.

POSTSCRIPT:
It was at The  Good Life that I got the idea for the tuna press from Nanny.  Thank you for writing, Nanny.

You see...
The problem with the can opener is that it leaves a lid which is larger than the top opening so you're unable to push down and squeeze out the tuna liquid.

The plastic, inexpensive tuna can press does the job beautifully.

I think the can opener is really nifty and I love using it because there are no sharp edges on the can.  In fact, as a former teacher I can just imagine all the art projects you can make with these cans now that it's safe from causing possible injury.

The only problem for me is that I've got a bunch of these cans on my counter now and Art and Mom are asking what I plan to do with them.

I wonder if anybody needs a pencil can or how about a paper clip holder?

Helpful Ideas From Jean

My friend, Jean sent me more helpful ideas and I'd like to share with you the ones I'm using.


I'm going to be looking for a cereal container to put in our car for garbage.  It looks like a handy thing to keep in your car.

Mom has a habit of keeping these bread tags around.  I like the idea of using it to find the start of your tape.

Art really liked the idea of using finials for doorstops.  Check out this link clearly explaining the steps to make it.

And here's MY favorite!  The cord for my iPhone charger is always falling from my desk.  Here's a nice way to charge your cellphone conveniently.  This website called Make It and Love It explains how to make it step by step.

I decided to make it this morning.

I used a large hand soap refill size plastic bottle.  I wanted to experiment first before I made one with the Suave hand lotion bottle (below) that I'm waiting for.

Next time I need to make the front a little deeper to make it easier to retrieve the cellphone.

I had a hard time cutting the plastic bottle.  My scissors and exacto knife are not sharp enough, but I persevered.

I then got some of that left over contact paper from my Quaker Oats garbage container project and covered the bottle with it.

I rather like the effect.  Yup... Mighty pleased.

I'm looking forward to trying out that Suave bottle because the label peels off easily.  The only problem is cutting it into the correct shape.   

Art says I should figure out how to make a container to charge his Fire.