On a trip to Walmart, the coffee filters we usually buy were not to be found anywhere.  Instead, they had “natural” ones which quite frankly looked already used—light brown in color. I bought them anyway in case we ran out.  They’ve been in the pantry since then and I wondered if I could use them for anything else.  Lo and behold, I found an article on The Spruce detailing such uses!

From The Spruce:

Coffee filters aren’t just for coffee makers anymore. The inexpensive filters are perfect for tasks from the kitchen to the garden because of their bowl shape, strength when wet, absorbency, and they are lint-free.

We gathered 17 clever uses for coffee filters around the house, and after reading, we’ll bet you find many more reasons to keep the filters on hand.

Protect Dinnerware from Scratches

Constantly stacking dinnerware can cause tiny scratches on the surfaces that look unattractive and weaken the material. Place a single coffee filter between each plate when storing or moving dinnerware to help protect the finishes.

Catch Popsicle Drips and Taco Spills

Eating can be messy, but not if you keep some coffee filters on hand. Cut a small slit in the center of a filter so you can slip in the wooden stick of a popsicle before you hand it over to be enjoyed.  The round filters are also a perfect fit to hold a taco or burger if you’re standing up at a party or eating on the run in your car.

Prevent Rust on Cast Iron Pans

Dampness is the enemy of cast iron pans and cookware. After washing and drying your favorite pan, slip a coffee filter inside to absorb any moisture that might linger. A bonus is that the filter will protect the interior surface from scratches if you stack the pans.

No More Messy Hands When Baking

Most bakeware should be greased before adding the batter to prevent sticking. The process can result in messy hands but not if you use a coffee filter to spread the butter or shortening. Simply use the filter to evenly spread the butter, toss it in the trash, and keep on baking.

Absorb Grease from Foods

Most people use a paper towel to absorb excess grease from bacon, French fries, or fried chicken. But, a few coffee filters work just as well. Line a plate with the filters and watch them soak up the oil.

Make Glassware Sparkle

If your drinkware has spots after removing it from the dishwasher, use a coffee filter to make it shine. The filters are lint-free and slightly textured so they gently scrub away the minerals that leave water spots.

Tip

Coffee filters work well on shower doors and bathroom mirrors with water spots.

Save the Cost of a Plumber

Coffee filters won’t unclog a sink, but they can save you the cost of a plumber to remove the clog.  When cleaning vegetables or scraping plates after dinner, put a coffee filter over the drain. It will catch the small pieces of food and debris that might create a clog. When you are finished at the sink, gather up the filter and toss it away.

Remove Dust from Electronics Screens

The screens on electronics are sensitive and easily scratched by gritty cleaning clothes and stiff paper towels that can leave lint. Coffee filters are perfect for quick clean-ups of television, laptop, and gaming screens. Just use a light touch and dust and fingerprints will be gone.

Prevent Microwave Splatters

We’ve all done it; placed a dish of leftovers in the microwave uncovered and then discovered an oven filled with splatters. Use a coffee filter over foods to catch the mess before it happens.

Spout Some Seeds

If you enjoy fresh chia seed sprouts for salads or just want to get a head start on the successful planting of some types of seeds, use a coffee filter.  Dampen the filter, sprinkle on the seeds in a closed container (glass jar or plastic bag), and place in a warm spot. The seeds will sprout with ease.

Line a Plant Container

Drainage is essential in a plant container but you don’t want soil leaking out of the drainage holes. Whether you are planting a pot or a hanging basket, place a coffee filter (or a few) in the bottom of the container before you add the soil. The water will drain out easily but the soil will stay in place.

Shine Stainless Steel Until it Is Streak-free

After cleaning a stainless-steel appliance or piece of cookware, use a coffee filter to buff the finish. Work in the direction of the grain and because the filters are lint-free, you’ll get a great shine.

Tip

After you clean a stainless-steel kitchen sink, dry it with a coffee filter to prevent water spots and streaks.

Protect Treasured Holiday Ornaments

Even if you have customized containers for storing heirloom holiday ornaments, use a coffee filter to wrap each one to add protection from dust and scratches. The filters are inexpensive and easy to use. You’ll enjoy unwrapping each one year after year.

Get Streak Free Windows

Coffee filters are the perfect last touch when cleaning windows. They will leave a lint-free, streak-free finish as you dry the glass. They also work great on car windows, mirrors, and glass tabletops.

Corral Small Pieces When Assembling Furniture

When you open a DIY furniture kit, use a coffee filter to hold the small screws and pieces. The bowl shape will help you keep them from rolling away and the filters are inexpensive enough that you can use several to sort the pieces. The same tip works great for kid’s game pieces.

Create Pressed Flowers

Coffee filters work beautifully to absorb moisture when pressing flowers in a book or a flower press. The smooth texture will not leave “dimples” like some embossed paper towels and no dye transfer to delicate petals.

Make a Shoe Freshener

To help keep sneakers and shoes smelling fresh between washings, make some odor absorbers using coffee filters.  Put about one-fourth cup of baking soda in the center of a filter. Gather up the edges and tie them with some string or use a rubber band.  Place the pouches in the shoes to absorb odors. After about a month of use, toss the filters and make a fresh batch.

SOURCE: THE SPRUCE: Mary Marlowe Leverette

This clever gift is perfect for Valentine’s Day—chocolate and champagne or wine if you prefer—a housewarming gift or even a baby shower gift, and is super simple to make!

The basic components are:

orange or gold tissue paper

about 48 ferrero rocher candies

greenery for the top (or you can use green tissue paper)

raffia for the tie

glue gun

bottle of champagne or wine

You begin by cutting the tissue paper into squares-large enough to envelope the ferrero rocher candies. Then you glue the candies in the center of the squares and then glue those around the bottle in rows beginning at the bottom and working up.  When you are nearing the top, you glue the greenery (or the green tissue paper cut into leaves) to the neck of the bottle, low enough that the last row of candies will cover the edges.  Then glue on the final row of candies and tie the raffia in a bow.

EASY PEASY!

Alternate Method

I have seen this done using mini cupcake papers instead of tissue paper and covering the bottle itself with tissue paper for easier removal of the candies.

I didn’t include the source for this craft because i have seen many varieties and many websites with the same idea. Some websites use plastic or silk greenery and some sites even used gold wrapped chocolate chunks.

I came across these easy to make luminaries and thought they’d make a nice winter project!

The idea and instructions come from the Songbird website.

Gather These Supplies

Mason jars

Mod Podge Satin

Epsom salt

Fir branches – collected and trimmed to size with scissors

Small wood slices

Twine

Scissors

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Flameless candles

Paintbrushes

Spoon

There’s a three-step process to this project. You’re going to prepare the jars, then Mod Podge and salt them, and then add the embellishments. It’s relatively easy!

Prepare the Jars

Basically, you’ll need to make sure that the jars are washed and clean so that the Mod Podge sticks. You have two options:

Clean the glass with mild soap and warm water and let dry

Clean the glass with rubbing alcohol and cotton balls (or similar) and let dry

The reason for the prep is because oils and dirt can get onto glass and stay there, and they can cause problems if you try to Mod Podge the glass. By “problems,” I mean the Podge won’t stick. So please clean the glass before moving on!

Mod Podge and Epsom Salt

I used Mod Podge Satin for this project. You can use any formula really, but I recommend either Satin, Gloss, or Matte. You won’t see the finish of the Mod Podge, so it doesn’t really matter.

Put your epsom salt out on a plate on your work surface.

Paint a medium layer of Mod Podge on the jar in consistent, quick strokes. You want to work quickly because Mod Podge starts to dry pretty quickly, and you don’t want to have to do a bunch of layering of the salt. It will get clumpy on your final luminaries.

Roll the jar in the epsom salt, all the way around. Push down slightly. Bring it up out of the epsom salt.

Use a spoon to pour salt over areas of the jar that may not have gotten salt.

You can also use a small paintbrush to add to blank areas and then sprinkle a little salt on it. Just be careful not to add too much Mod Podge. Clumping salt doesn’t look great, especially with votives.

Keep in mind that if you miss a few areas, it will be hardly noticeable! Let your luminaries dry for several hours.

Adding Embellishments

Cut a length of twine that is long enough to wrap around the jar mouth around 6 – 7 times.

Start wrapping. Tie it once at the halfway point, then tie it again at the end. Tie the twine into a bow.

Use a hot glue gun to attach the branches to the front of your luminaries. Then place the small wood pieces on the front.

Place the LED tea lights into your new mason jar luminaries for a warm glow! You can also use real tea lights if you like, given that the epsom salt and Mod Podge are on the outside of the jar.

SOURCE: SONGBIRD

Do you have dry hair, hands, scalp, or skin? If there’s one thing that we love, it’s making our own natural remedies and treatments. Check out these fantastic recipes that will restore and liven up your hair, face, and skin—and not break the bank.

Remedies for Dry Hair

Weekly Conditioner for Fly-Away Hair

Try a weekly deep-conditioning. For a rich conditioning treatment that you’d pay $30 to $100 for at a salon, mix a couple of tablespoons of olive, coconut, or castor oil with 1/2 cup of full-fat mayonnaise (alternatively: a ripe, mashed avocado) and massage into your hair and scalp. Then, wrap your hair in a large plastic grocery bag and top it off with a warm, dry towel for about 30 minutes. Wash and rinse as usual (but sometimes twice is needed to remove the oil).

Moisturizing Leave-in Conditioner

Mix two parts water, one part witch hazel, two parts vegetable glycerin (a natural moisturizer available online or in health/natural food stores), and a tablespoon of olive or other cooking oil per cup of liquid in a spray bottle. If you have aloe vera gel on hand, add one part to the mixture. A few drops of essential oil will give you a scented product. Spritz on wet or dry hair before styling.

More Body and Bounce

Mayonnaise, straight from the jar, will make hair soft and shiny. The egg nourishes brittle hair with protein, while the vinegar gives it body and bounce.

Try this mixture to regain supple hair: Mix one teaspoon of powdered brewers’ yeast with four ounces of apple cider vinegar to create an after-wash rinse. Pour it over wet hair and let stand at least a minute before rinsing.

Oily Hair and Skin

Add one teaspoon baking soda to two ounces of your shampoo. This works as an alkali to absorb excess oil.

Baking soda works the same way with skin, it will absorb oil and also neutralize excess acid in your skin. Make a paste with baking soda and water.

Try lemon juice as an astringent facial cleanser.

Remedies for Dry Hands and Nails

Let’s start with some good tips and basics on keeping your hands from getting dry and cracked.

Add moisturizer right after you wash your hands. Apply when your skin is a little wet to help it hang on to some of the water.

Avoid any alcohol-based cleansers on your skin. Consider liquid soap that contains moisturizers.

Use the right moisturizer! Look for products that list ceramides (oils), dimethicone (a type of silicone), and shea butter to provide a good seal for your hands. The thicker the cream, the better.

If you polish your nails, find an acetone-free polish remover, as acetone is a serious drying agent.

It goes without saying that you need to wear gloves when using any harsh or chemical ingredient to clean the house.

Also make sure to wear gloves or mittens when you go outside to prevent the dry winter air from drawing moisture from your hands and nails.

If your hands get so dry that they crack, be careful of infection. Clean the area with hydrogen peroxide and apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment.

Some dermatologists suggest coating hands and nails with Vaseline or another strong barrier and wearing cotton gloves overnight to treat dry nails and cuticles.

To prevent brittle nails and ragged cuticles, try this handmade cuticle massage:

Cuticle Massage:
5 red seedless grapes
1 tablespoon sugar
Wash the grapes, then slice them in half widthwise. Dip the cut side into the sugar. Using half a grape for each finger, massage the skin around each fingernail for about 30 seconds each. Wipe off the excess sugar with a soft towel, then rub hand cream onto hands and cuticles.

Remedies for Dry, Itchy Skin

Again, let’s start out with some basic tips on caring for your skin so that it doesn’t become dry and itchy.

Apply moisturize every day or even twice a day if you are over 40. Apply immediately after showering or bathing when your skin is still a little damp. Do not scrub skin dry.

Choose a lotion brand that has petroleum jelly or lanolin high on the ingredients list.

For super-dry skin, use olive oil. Rub it in prior to a bath or shower. You may substitute peanut, sesame or sunflower oil.

Avoid steaming hot water or lengthy immersions, which will strip your skin of its natural oils. Dermatologists suggest taking shorter baths or showers in warm (not hot) water. If you have severe dry skin problems, keep your showers to no longer than 5 minutes and use lukewarm water.

Use a mild, glycerin-based soap. And stay away from hair or skin-care products that contain any forms of alcohol, which are drying agents. 

Wash gently. Vigorous scrubbing can further irritate sensitive skin. Gently clean around the “fold” areas of your skin—underarms, neck, and groin—and feet. Use very little, if any soap, on your trunk and limbs.

Don’t go outside in any season without using SPF of at least 15 on your face and hands.

To soften dry skin, add 1 cup powdered milk to your bath. (It worked for Cleopatra, supposedly.)

Try adding lemon juice or vinegar to your bathwater. Soap, being highly alkaline, may make your skin feel itchy.

Oatmeal Bath for Itchy Skin

If you have itchy skin, try a soothing oatmeal bath. 

Blend one cup of oats in a food processor or blender. Run a lukewarm bath (NOT hot). Pour the oat into the warm water and stir. Soak in bath for 15 to 20 minutes and very gently rub into skin.
Rinse with warm water and pat skin dry. While skin is still moist, apply a hypoallergenic moisturizing cream.

A quart of milk in a hot bath is a luxury as well as a skin toner. It’s a trick nearly as old as time.

Homemade Oatmeal Scrub

For a homemade scrub, mix ground oats and honey. Rub all over your face—especially your nose. The abrasive will remove dry, scaly skin while the honey seeps in as a moisturizer. Rinse completely off and pat dry, and your skin will be glowing and baby soft. Only use this remedy once a week.

More Remedies and Tips at ALMANAC

SOURCE: ALMANAC

Dust Cloth Extraordinaire

Your socks should fit over your hands, so put one on when it’s time to clean the house. In addition to using it to dust the furniture, socks are especially suited to wiping baseboards, shutters, blind slats, ceiling fans and even houseplants. In the garage, use single socks to clean and polish your car inside and out. When you’re finished cleaning your house or vehicle, remove the sock from your hand by pulling it off inside-out, so the mess stays off your hand.

Wipe a Dog’s Paws and Toys

If your dog comes back from a walk wet or dirty, slip a sock on your hand and wipe off her paws and any other affected areas. You may also wish to put a sock on your hand when you’re tossing a ball, Frisbee or other toy that may be returned to you full of slobber.

Rejuvenate Dry Skin

Do you have a problem with dry and cracked skin on your hands or feet? One of the best ways to heal your skin is to cover the affected area with an appropriate moisturizer or petroleum jelly before you retire for the evening, then cover with a sock. The sock will keep the lotion or salve from getting all over your bedding, plus help your skin better absorb the moisturizing agent. (If both feet need moisturizing, just use two odd socks.)

Roll Out Knotted Muscles

One of the more annoying things in life is having a tight muscle in an area you can’t quite reach, like the middle of your back. When that happens, place a tennis ball into a long sock, knotting the end. Find a hard surface like a wall or door, then toss the sock over your shoulder and position the ball over the knot in your back. Press against the ball as you move it all over the knotted area to roll out that muscle.

Bust Bad Smells

Fill a stray sock with cat litter, knot the end, and place it in your tent before rolling it up for the season. This will keep mustiness at bay. You can also put coffee grounds or baking soda in leftover socks, knot them, and stick into your shoes for an overnight deodorizing. One more odor-buster: Place potpourri or lavender into a sock, secure the end, then place in a dresser drawer, gym bag or closet — any place where you’d like a fresh scent.

Create Kids’ Toys

Sock puppets have been around for centuries, although they haven’t always been crafted from stray socks. Take those strays (longer socks work best) and add whatever embellishments you’d like, such as eyes, hair and glasses, to make your own puppet. You can also make stuffed animals from socks.

Prevent Drafts

If your home has a drafty door or window, take a sock (long ones and tube socks work best) and fill with popcorn kernels or dried beans, plus stuffing; e.g., quilt batting or polyester fiberfill. Sew the open end closed, then place against the bottom of your drafty door or window. The popcorn or beans will weigh down the sock so it stays in place, while the stuffing will block the wind from getting through any cracks or crevasses.

Make Dryer Balls

Typically made of compressed wool, plastic or rubber, dryer balls bounce between your clothing and sheets to prevent them from clumping together. They also combat static and wrinkles, soften clothes and fluff them out. But dryer balls can be pricy. To make your own, fold up one sock into a small ball, then place it on top of another sock. Then, roll the first sock up into the second, pulling the cuff over it all to make a larger ball. A slightly easier way to make a dryer ball is to drop a tennis ball into an old sock and secure the top. If you prefer store-bought dryer balls, you can still use a leftover sock to clean the dryer balls monthly. Simply place the balls in a few socks, tie the tops and toss into the wash.

Organize Wrapping Paper

Take a sock with a cuff several inches tall and cut off the cuff. Slip the sock cuff over a roll of wrapping paper to keep it tidy and in place.

SOURCE: HOWSTUFFWORKS

Today’s project is SUPER EASY, but it’s one you can certainly dress up in many ways if you like!

The basic reindeer is a couple of wine corks—one for the body and one cut slight shorter for the head, several twigs for the legs, neck and antlers, a red bead for the nose (or brown bead if you’re not making Rudolph) and a little garland if you want for a decoration. 

If you really want to jazz up your creations use beads for the legs and neck, pipe cleaners for the antlers and tail, and add a larger bead for the nose.

This version uses a thumbtack for the nose, some flannel scraps for scarves and added pompoms for earmuff or a little knitted hat.

Then there’s this one, which focuses on the reindeer head, although I’m not so sure about their antlers.

Finally, there’s the Village People Version…

Today is also GA/FL’s birthday!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to a woman who is giving and loving and patient!!!

I went searching for things to do with Mason jars since it is National Mason Jar Day! (Who thinks these things up?)  I was astounded by the many, many uses for them!  I have included only a few here, but the links at the end provide many more ideas AND RECIPES!

There are many recipes you can make to put in mason jars and gift them—from cookies to homemade pancake mix to sweet and spicy nuts!  I loved this one because of the festive little Christmas light container.

Sugar Cookie Recipe with mix

If mixes aren’t your thing, how about using the jars to grow herbs?

Mason jar Herb Garden

There are many ideas for filling the jars with non-food related items and gifting them, such as this manicure in a jar idea!

Manicure in a Jar

Getting married and need an idea for the groomsmen?  Get some mini liquor bottles and create a mini bar in a jar!

I like this idea—very simple.  Get some white chocolate covered pretzels, a couple of buttons and viola!  Snowman in a jar!

This idea hubby loved—because hubby loves malted milk balls!

Reindeer Noses (malted milk balls)

This website has dozens of recipes for all sorts of things to put in Mason jars:

https://thefrugalgirls.com/

This website has many ideas for using the jars around the house—as well as some recipes:

https://www.realsimple.com/

When my kids started high school, the school had 2 “fun” fundraisers for the local Rescue Mission during the year.  One, in the spring, was the egg drop.  Participants paid an entry fee, (as well as spectators), and had to develop a method for their egg (supplied by the school so no fake ones allowed) to be dropped from the top of the high school and land unbroken below.  (There was a metal railing and plenty of adults ensuring the safety of all involved.)

The second was the turkey toss. 

Again, the school provided several frozen turkeys to be used by contestants, either singly or as a team, to fling their turkey as far down the football field as possible.  The entrants and spectators, again, paid a fee and there were additional donation boxes provided to bring canned goods for the Mission.  The rules were simple: your method had to be human powered—no electric anything– and you could start all the way down the opposite end of the field if you wanted a running start–but you had to “launch” your frozen turkey from the 50-yard line.  

The first year we went, neither of my kids participated, but we had a great time!  Mostly the contestants were athletes trying to throw the frozen birds like a football.  Winner of the event got his picture and a write up in yearbook. 

The following summer, my son and 2 of his friends spent a lot of their spare time helping a neighbor down the street from us clear out his garage.  My son stored all sorts of pieces of wood and a jar of odd nuts and bolts in our garage.  And then they began to tinker with it all.  Whatever they were doing was a big secret and they covered it with a tarp they begged hubby for.  We all promised not to peek until they were ready.  One afternoon after school started, the whole thing just disappeared. 

And then the mystery deepened.  We got this funny “invitation” on our front door—apparently the entire neighborhood got the same invitation—to go to the wedding venue parking lot at the bend in the road this Saturday morning for the “unveiling”. 

The entire neighborhood it seemed had gathered there to see what the young men had cooked up.  It was their turkey toss entry…a trebuchet!

Theirs was a little cruder than the above drawing, but still looked basically the same—except theirs didn’t have its own wheels.  They had theirs strapped to 2 mechanic’s dollies to transport it.  We watched and cheered as they flung their frozen turkey all the way from one end of the parking lot to the other.  They were a shoe-in to win the turkey toss!

On the Saturday of the contest, hubby loaded up their pieces—it came apart for easy transport—and their tools and drove them to the high school to set it up very early.  They covered it and took turns guarding it till the start of the contest.  When it was finally their turn, they moved it to the 50-yard line and uncovered it.  The crowd was stunned…and then they launched their turkey.  It CLEARED the uprights in the end zone!  The judges then asked the boys if they wanted to move their contraption BACK so they could really establish a winning distance…they readily agreed! They set the school record that morning for the turkey toss.  Got their names and pictures in the newspaper as well. 

FROM HOWSTUFFWORKS:

Many people routinely toss a dryer sheet or two into their dryers before pressing the start button. That’s because these small, papery sheets reduce static cling and wrinkles, soften your duds, and leave them with a pleasing, fresh scent. But dryer sheets are typically thrown in the trash once the clothes are dried. That’s a shame, because they can be repurposed to perform a wide variety of other tasks.

Dryer sheets are stiff, woven pieces of fiber, generally about 9 inches long and 6.4 inches wide. They’re coated with fabric softeners and lubricants as well as a scent like lavender, linen, musk or rain. Some sheets are also sold unscented.

When you start your dryer, these sheets do their magic when the coating melts off them and onto your clothing as they all tumble together, leaving your laundry soft and free of static. Afterward, the dryer sheets are ready for their second incarnation.

Here are 16 ways you can recycle and reuse your old dryer sheets. Some of these hacks are for new sheets, too.

Regular Cleaning

That coating that dryer sheets come with is useful for picking up dust and dirt. Here are some things you can use dryer sheets for as you clean.

Dust almost anything. Take an old dryer sheet and use it as a dust cloth, running it over items such as window blinds, baseboards, ceiling fan blades and your car’s dashboard. Bonus: The sheets are great at picking up pet hair in the process, and any coating still on them will also help the surface you’ve just cleaned repel dust and lint.

Wipe up spills. Spilled some flour, baking soda or seasoning? Dryer sheets are great at cleaning up such messes, as dry ingredients will stick to the sheets. But don’t use them when you’ve spilled something on the floor, as they can make it quite slick and a slipping hazard.

Remove sap and sand. When you’re in the great outdoors, use old dryer sheets to remove tree sap from your hands — it sticks to a dryer sheet better than a wet wipe — and to easily brush sand from your feet and legs.

Tough Cleaning

Scrub pots and pans. Dryer sheets are great at tackling the hard stuff. Take dirty pots and pans. If you’re not in the mood to vigorously scrub them for an indefinite amount of time, fill the pot or pan with hot water, toss in a new dryer sheet and let it soak at least an hour or overnight. In the morning, the sheet will have helped loosen the crusty food so you can more easily wipe it off.

Remove grime from oven racks. If your oven racks become grimy — a common occurrence — fill your bathtub with warm water, a half-cup of dish soap and eight new dryer sheets. Then lower in the racks and let them soak overnight. In the morning, scrub off the gunk with the dryer sheets, then rinse, dry and replace in your oven.

Clean crusty irons. Dryer sheets work well if you need to clean the bottom of your iron, where residue can accumulate from spray starch buildup and even melted synthetic fabrics.

Remove soap scum. Unfortunately, it’s easy to discover a film of soap on your shower door or bathtub. Scrub clean with a used dryer sheet.

Deodorizing

If you’ve got scented sheets on hand, either new or just out of the dryer, they can be used to make any number of household items smell more pleasant. In general, it’s better to use new sheets for deodorizing, as their scent is stronger.

Freshen wastebaskets and vacuum cleaners. Toss a dryer sheet in the bottom of your wastebasket before adding the bag, or in your vacuum cleaner to combat unpleasant smells.

Refresh camping gear. Even outdoorsy people don’t enjoy unpleasant smells. Before you pack away your camping equipment, toss dryer sheets into items like your tent, sleeping bag and backpack. They’ll smell much better the next time you use them.

Get rid of car odors. Tuck a few dryer sheets under your front seats and you may be able to get rid of that pine tree deodorizer hanging from your rearview mirror.

Freshen up workout gear. Stick dryer sheets into your gym shoes and gym bags to keep nasty smells at bay.

Remove stale odors from your suitcase. Travelers should place dryer sheets in their suitcases to avoid the stale smells that can develop when they’re closed up for a while.

Eliminate smells in your home. If a room in your house smells a little funky, tape a dryer sheet to the back of a vent or two so that the air flowing through them will pick up their pleasant scent. If you do this, though, make sure to replace the sheets weekly so no dusty build-up will impede the air flow.

Miscellaneous

Bet you never thought of using your dryer sheets for the following:

De-squeak shoes. Have a squeak in your shoe due to orthotics or insoles that are rubbing against the bottom? Place a new or used dryer sheet in between the bottom of the shoe and the orthotic or insole, and the squeak will disappear. If it comes back, it may be because the sheet has slipped out of place; simply readjust. Or it may be time for a new sheet.

Sharpen scissors. Scissors dull? Then use them to cut up a dryer sheet or two and that should restore some of their cutting ability.

Repel insects. If you enjoy hiking but flying insects keep circling your head, tuck a new dryer sheet into the back of your ball cap, leaving several inches hanging out. Both the scent of the sheet and its movement as you walk may keep insects at bay. (Studies have shown that linalool, a popular floral-scented chemical in cosmetics, perfumes and dryer sheets, repels fungus gnats and some types of weevils. But linalool didn’t seem to have much value at repelling mosquitoes.)

 

SOURCE: HOWSTUFFWORKS

In honor of Halloween later this month, today’s recipe is from Reader’s Digest and it’s for FAKE BLOOD & GUTS, lol.  I am only presenting the fake blood part of the article because the rest is too out there even for me.  But there are many, MANY videos on how to make your own intestines if you really want to know how.

From the article:

Many years ago, I worked as a celebrity makeup artist. And for a while there, I trained in special effects makeup—you know, the gooey, gross, and oozing stuff that makes you gasp or peek through your hands as you’re watching a scary movie. If you’re opting for an easy Halloween costume this year and trying to figure out how to make fake blood to accent your creation, we’ve got you covered. Literally.

Making fake blood is both creative and easy, depending on your needs. The king of modern splatter makeup, Greg Nicotero, who’s best known for his work on The Walking Dead, once told CBS News that creating fake blood was “kind of—oddly—a weird art form.” He’s not wrong. And Nicotero’s creative zombie art has inspired countless Halloween costume ideas and Halloween makeup ideas.

So why should you whip up your own fake blood? Well, what is Halloween without a little gore? Plus, it’s easy, inexpensive, and really fun to make. And let’s not forget about bragging rights. You can reference it in your Halloween Instagram captions, or share a TikTok of yourself scrolling through Halloween face paint ideas and scary Halloween costumes and then pan out to an image of you stirring up a batch of fake blood.

These fake blood recipes are total no-brainers, but keep in mind that a lot of these ingredients will stain your skin and property. And remember: Don’t sacrifice safety for fun. Fake blood that comes in contact with your skin or mouth needs to be edible.

So, what should you expect from this creepy crafts experiment? The DIY fake blood should be slightly runny, like the fake blood in movies. Think Dexter and his blood spatter, and you’ll have an idea of what the texture should look like. Ready to create your own (make-believe) blood? Here’s how:

Ingredients:

3/4 cup corn syrup (if you’re trying for the look of old blood, consider using a few drops of maple syrup as well)

1/4 cup water

1/2 teaspoon red food coloring

5 drops blue food coloring

2 drops green food coloring

1 tablespoon cornstarch

Step 1: Combine the water and corn syrup. You’re trying for runny, but not so runny that it drips off your face or body and just leaves stains.

Step 2: Slowly add the food coloring until you reach your ideal color.

Step 3: Slowly mix in the cornstarch. You can add a drop of water to the cornstarch first to keep it from clumping.

Step 4: Let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before use.

Note: This is going to stain your skin and clothing.

The food coloring proportions are optional; only you know the exact color you’re trying to create. That said, using green and blue makes the color more realistic. Bear in mind that red and blue create purple, and green will give your fake blood the sickening look you’re trying for.

How to make fake blood for clothes

If you’re hoping to make your clothes look bloody, you’ll need to create blood that is thicker and darker. The fake blood recipe below is nontoxic and made with edible ingredients. Ideally, you’ll make a bigger batch of this fake blood so you can thoroughly soak your costume.

This fake blood recipe uses a ratio of corn syrup to water, versus exact measurements, so you can make as little or as much as you like. If you and your friends are batting around group Halloween costume ideas, consider making a single batch of blood for everyone to use.

Ingredients:

Corn syrup

Water

Red food coloring

Cocoa powder

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine three parts corn syrup with one part water. Mix thoroughly.

Step 2: Add a couple drops of red food coloring into the mixture while stirring continuously. Keep adding more drops of food coloring until the blood is your desired color. Stir for at least five minutes to distribute the food coloring evenly.

Step 3: Add 3 tablespoons cocoa powder to the mixture and stir. This thickens the blood. Keep adding cocoa powder, a tablespoon at a time, until the blood reaches your desired consistency. The blood will be thick but not lumpy, so it can sit on your clothing and absorb without running.

You can also try using old red paint and water, blending in blue and green paint until you have the right color and texture of dried blood.

SOURCE: READER’S DIGEST