Xposted...sorry

First, we're renting. Since we don't own this place so I can't do major renovations or anything.

There are these...vents around the trailer. There are 4 of them total. Each of are dug out and has a metal boarder around it and they each have a board standing up in them. (see pics)

1) What are they for?

2) It's COLD!! Can I put a piece of insulation down there to keep cold air from coming up under the house or is that going to cause a problem with ventilation?

( Read more... )

My roommate is moving out, and had a dog while she was here. This dog ruined my carpet.
There are stains from these stupid red flavored dog bones that when she was chewing on them, she would DROOL! so it is on the carpet. I have stain removers setting on them now, but how else can I get it up?

i need help from some of you more experienced chefs.

i want to make shrimp scampi for dinner, but i've over estimated the amount of shrimp i have (i have about half of what i need). would it be win to add some bacon too? i've had a really good pasta dish before that had bacon and shrimp in it but i don't know if the other ingredients would make the flavors clash too much... if i were to add bacon is there anything i should omit or cut down on?

i also have some sun-dried tomatoes i may add.


here's the recipe in question for the linkaphobes:

* 1 (8 ounce) package angel hair pasta
* 1/2 cup butter
* 4 cloves minced garlic
* 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
* 1 cup dry white wine
* 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
* 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Stir in pasta and return pot to boil. Cook until al dente. Drain well.
2. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in garlic and shrimp. Cook, stirring constantly, for 3 to 5 minutes.
3. Stir in wine and pepper. Bring to a boil and cook for 30 seconds while stirring constantly.
4. Mix shrimp with drained pasta in a serving bowl. Sprinkle with cheese and parsley. Serve immediately.

thanks in advance!!! :)

I have a king-sized feather bed that got a small gasoline spill on it while it was being transported in my car. The spot is an oval that is perhaps 4 inches wide and 2 inches tall. I don't think that gas really soaked through the cover into the feathers. However, the smell is pretty strong. Any tips for something I can buy or a household product I could use to lift out the smell? I haven't tried anything yet because I didn't want to make it worse. I'm trying to avoid needing to dry-clean it because that will likely cost more than the feather bed did in the first place ;)  Thanks in advance for any tips.

I am seeking info from those with experience making homemade pasta.

Lately I've been craving soup made with very-thick (sometimes called "jumbo") udon noodles, basically pencil-thick size, and I can't seem to find them anywhere (I have searched the local Asian markets etc. and all I can find are the linguine-thick kind.)

I found this recipe online:
http://closetcooking.blogspot.com/2008/02/udon-noodles.html

My questions:
1) Does this recipe look like it will work?
2) Can I use my KitchenAid stand mixer (it has the extra-powerful motor) with the dough hook to knead the pasta dough, or do I need to do this by hand?
3) Any other pointers from people who have BTDT?

Thanks!!

Hi all. My fiance and I are looking to buy a dishwasher for our home - the kitchen has a spot for a built-in under the counter, but we've just never had one there. I'm hoping to get some advice from y'all on what kind to buy. We're trying to keep the actual dishwasher as close to under $300 as possible, because delivery and installation is $109 (and we're also buying a refrigerator this month, so I don't want to be broke on appliances).

Looking at the reviews on the dishwashers in our price range at Lowe's scares me. The low-end Frigidaire dishwashers have terrible reviews, and the low-end GEs have no reviews at all. Also, I have an innate distrust of reviews just because people who hate a product are more likely to review it (right?) so I was hoping y'all had some insight for me.

Also, since this is the first time I'll have had a dishwasher in a long time, does anyone have any general rules for what goes in the dishwasher and what needs to be hand washed? I never paid attention when we bought stuff because we didn't have a dishwasher anyway, and when I lived alone, I put everything in there whether it was supposed to go or not (heh!).

TIA.

Hi H-D, I come with questions regarding odors this time :(

# 1 - My parents have left the windows open during the days this weekend (mmm fall) but someone started burning leaves or something today, and now the smell is in the house. I'm sitting here with a bottle of water trying to stymie it, and coupled with obsessively spraying Febreeze every few minutes, I'm doing alright...but overnight, my eyes will likely swell up and I'll look atrocious :( suggestions, please??

# 2 - My pooch is on a fatty acid supplement for her skin, and the bottle leaked all over our countertop. It was wiped up with a wet washcloth and the smell is gone from there...but my mom tossed it into the wash along with the other rags and towels, and proceeded to dry them together as well. Now all the towels, rags, and both the washer and dryer smell like fish oil. It's vomitrocious. I've heard of doing vinegar rinses in the wash, but what can I do for the dryer? And can I do a vinegar wash with the towels and rags in there, or is it already too late for them?

---

# 3 - a non malodorous question! I'm finally getting around to scrapbooking for myself, and I wanted to know how you prefer to print pictures for books/projects. Right now, I just head down to CVS and use the self serve super fast way, but a friend of mine has a few HP printers that she uses to do pics at home. Do you find it's more economical to do this?

This is silly, but help me out here:

We have a cleaning lady coming for the first time on Wednesday. Obviously we don't want to leave an absolute stranger alone at our house. Equally obviously, I don't know what the hell to do while that woman's here.

Can I get away with just reading a damned book while she does her thing, and switching floors when she does so I'm on the opposite one, you think? I don't want to be rude, but I'm not sure staying out of her way isn't way less rude than following her around babbling a thousand miles a minute, you know?

The boy and I got married last weekend. On our registry we asked for Calphalon Contemporary Non-Stick 10-Piece Set from Bed Bath and Beyond. At our wedding we received from Target, the Farberware Affiniti 12-pc. Cookware Set.

I know we need new pots and pans since the one's we currently use are from when I was in grad school and are dying but I am clueless as to what type/kind of pots/pans will be a good investment for the long term. As for cooking, we are average cooks, nothing to fancy. It would be nice to put pots/pans in the dishwasher but quality and longevity are important to me right now.


At BBB, the person helping us recommended getting the 10 piece set. Looking at both the Calphalon and Farberware sets, some of the items, we wouldn't use. With each set(description below for each) they are two very different materials. I'm more than ok with buying different pieces, I just don't know what materials are needed for what type/style of cooking.


The description for the Calphalon is-
-hard-anodized outside and non-stick inside combine durability and performance
-long, stay-cool handles,
-Glass covers
-Hand wash.
-Lifetime warranty.
Ten-piece set includes 8" omelette, 10" omelette, 1 1/2-quart covered saucepan, 2 1/2-quart covered saucepan, 3-quart covered saute pan and 8-quart covered stockpot.

The Description for the Faberware is
Pan-Pot Material: Aluminum
# Handle Material: Silicone
# Lid Material: Glass
# Set Includes: 1.5-qt. Saucepan with Lid, Slotted Spoon, 3-qt. Saucepan with Lid, 11" Skillet, 10" Skillet, Slotted Turner, 6-qt. Stockpot
# Care and Cleaning: Hand-wash Only

A few years ago for Christmas  I made these for some younger girl cousins (im in my 40s there are lots).They are emeragancy kits for their car.

I went to a thrift store and got glitzy evening  purses for about $5 each (bought on sale, and brightly colored or metallic thats important so they are easy to find in the dark and cute helps when you are in an emergency it reminds you are loved. )

I then filled them with emergency supplys  different mixes for different people, you can adjust it to where they live and how much you want to spend. (most of mine ran around $20)

a first aid kit, sewing kit, small flashlight, a few hard candy's, a granola bar,a small can of tuna, packs of condiments and salt, small bottle of water, lighter,  adjustable screwdriver, folding knife, small note book, pen, a small amount of duct tape, a few ziploc bags, emergency cell phone charger,  one trash bag,  two pairs disposable latex gloves, a small tube of crazy glue, baby wipes, thermal blanket, gas card, phone card, quarters, $10 bill, and a tampon and pad.

I also added a list of what was in there so when they use things they can replace them and a list of phone numbers and addresses if their cell phones dont work.

most of the stuff can be bought at a doller store or in bulk.

(ill be posting more Christmas gift ideas later if anyone wants it)

ash

So, we live in a condo, and we have little space for extra crap. I have a daughter who will be turning two in December, and combine that with Christmas, that means an influx of toys all at once.

My family understands that we have little space for toy storage, and we've done a few creative things to keep her toys in check,  like using two storage ottomans for toys and as our coffee table. But while we have found ideas for SMALL toy storage, we're having trouble thinking up ideas for BIG toy storage.

I know for a fact that my daughter is receiving at least three large plastic toys (for example, a plastic riding toy, a little people garage and things like that) and I have no idea where I'll store them. I'm thinking I'll re-arrange her closet and add some shelves, but I was wondering if anyone had any other novel solutions. We could potentially put up some shelves in her room, but I'd rather be able to hide it away rather than have it out in the open.

In the meantime, I've been trying to encourage my family to buy her books and coloring books and crafty things, but they all seem to think she "needs" these big plastic things. Ugh.

We're thinking of buying a fryer for Thanksgiving this year. I've been browsing online to learn about it, but I'd love to hear any real life product reviews, specifically the propane fryer versus the oil free infrared cookers. I love the idea of having the extra space in my oven for all of the side dishes and thought frying to be the way to go. I just don't know anything beyond that. Thanks!

I have what I'm pretty sure is an armadillo hole in my yard. The hole is right up next to the foundation of my house. Does anyone have personal experience dealing with these? How do I keep the armadillo from coming back?

Anyone have any experience with these? Hard to put on? Easy? Do they look good in person? They seem to be all over the decor blogs but I've never seen one in person.

I'm browsing them on Etsy.com for my girls' room. Price range seems to vary quite a bit for the same sort of thing. Do you get what you pay for? Or is a $30 decal more or less the same as a $70 one that's pretty similar?

edit: I won't have a separate shower.

i have a pair of crystal candle sticks and a lil crystal frame. i think they came from tiffanys (they were gifts). and they are not my style so i want to clean them and give them to someone who will appreciate them.
the candle sticks have some wax in them and they needa good cleaning so any ideas?

thanks
tifga

Hello hip domestics!

I googled but couldn't really find anything.  Do any of you ladies have any tips for keeping a cotton dress (simple jersey cotton from Old Navy) from sticking to tights?  I wore the dress the other day with boots and black tights, and the dress was clinging to the tights like velcro.  Slightly awkward when the dress starts to ride up in the back from walking!

Any tips on how to prevent the dress from sticking to my legs when wearing tights would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

EDIT: The verdict is in!  A slip is best (duh- why didn't I think of that), with a cling-free spray coming up 2nd.  Thanks for the help!

So I read online to get rid of cat odors I should leave a bowl of vinegar out. I left a bowl of apple cider vinegar out and now that closet smells even worse. How can I get rid of the smell?

x-posted from personal journal-hence the heavy (uncompensated) link luvin
I've been checking this site for the last few HOURS. http://tipnut.com/
It started with this:
http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/

It has now become fodder for all my DIY holiday gift blog posts.

http://tipnut.com/braided-doormat/ These are NOT cheap to buy...but rope IS cheap.
http://tipnut.com/laptop-sleeves-cases/ Also not cheap. My husband just bought a fabric laptop case...*smacks self in head*.

Seriously-hours of inspiration for gift ideas on a budget that don't look like craftastrophe or regretsy.

also x-posted to poor_skills

My friend had a baby back in September. When the baby was born, I sent a gift. The baptism is being held this Sunday, which I was invited to and will be attending. If I already sent a gift when the baby was born, do I give a baptism gift as well?