Instead of purchasing car mats for your car floor, go to a carpet store and ask for carpet samples. They will often give them to you at no cost and when they become soiled, or need replacing they can be discarded and replaced easily. They are very good to absorb moisture from melted snow off of your soles or moisture from any thing spilled, etc. They can also be cleaned as you would clean your home carpeting or wash, when needed, in a front loaded laundry wash machine, depending on the backing of the carpet.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.

Eliminating the knot: When sewing with a single thread, does it constantly knot? If so, try this: After you thread the needle, be sure to knot the end that was cut off closet to the spool.

To avoid knots, run the thread through bees wax (soap bars work well too). The bees wax also strengthens the thread.

To thread a needle easier, cut the tread at an angle and dampen the end that will go through the needle or run it lightly over an old soap bar.

A handy pin cushion: A bar of soap makes an ideal place to stick needles and pins. It lubricates them so that they will go through stiff fabrics with ease too.

To mark seams, button locations, etc. use an old soap sliver. Washes out easily with no stain or marks remaining.

Sewing on plastic: Put wax paper over the seam and the sewing machine will not stick to the plastic nor pucker. The wax paper will tear off easily after the job is done.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.

Use a toothbrush to remove grime from a can opener and run a paper towel through the cutting mechanism to clean the blades.

Using cornstarch and a toothbrush is a safe way to clean alabaster figurines. A toothbrush and mild soap water works well to clean other small items and corners of counters. Dry toothbrushes clean corners of furniture and cupboards and picture frames. Cleaning mud, etc. out of edges of shoes and creases in tennis shoes adn sliding door tracks is easy with a wet toothbrush.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.

Polish your formica counter and tops with a cloth and club soda. Wipe dry and see it sparkle again. The acid in it dissolves lime deposits, etc. without harming it. This is also a quick cleaner to use on tableware (forks, knives, etc.) that have become spotted from the dishwasher. Restaurants often use club soda to polish things.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.

The easy way to clean your removable bath mat is to place it in the wash machine with other laundry, especially with items like terry towels. Do not use extremely hot water and do not dry in the dryer. Hang to dry the same way you do after using it for a shower or bath.

Old bath mats are handy in the trunk to use if stuck in mud or ice and if you have a flat tire, etc. they are clean and good to kneel on. They also make an emergency boot mat for snowy boots or under pet dishes.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.

You can often loosen a rusted bolt by applying a cloth soaked in any carbonated beverage.

A drop or two of ammonia will loosen it right up.

Before screwing it back in, wrap thread around it and coat with vaseline to avoid future rusting.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.

Creative Cooking
By
Lydia Critchley
608-240-9773
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com
www.creativecookingbylydia.com

To avoid lost boots, cut two matching shapes of colored tape and stick on the backs of each boot heel. Your child can easily spot them, even in a jumble of 30 pairs at school.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.

Creative Cooking
By
Lydia Critchley

Let tap water stand for 1 day to rid water of cholorine. This will help avoid brown tips.

The water you boil eggs in is filled with minerals and is a good “drink” for your plants.

Drop egg shells into a jar of water and cover. Let set a day before watering. Do not store egg shells for any length of time, because they will spoil and cause the worst odor.

Top choice fertilizers are old aquarium water and wataer in which fish has been frozen.

Don't throw away your fizzless club soda. It has just he right chemicals to add vigor and color to your plants.

Scoop up some clean snow and let it melt. Use it for watering because there are wonderful minerals in snow.

When going on vacation, place all houseplants in the bathtub on old thickly folded bath towels, in a few inches of water. They will absorb moisture as needed.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.

Creative Cooking
By
Lydia Critchley

To remove lint from corduroy, wash and allow to dry very slowly. While cothing is still damp, brush with a clothes brush. All the lint will come off, but remember, the clothing must be damp.

You will eliminate the lint problem by adding 1 cup white vinegar to the final rinse cycle.

Or, put a yard of nylon netting into the dryer with wet clothes to act as a lint catcher.

If the lint, under and around the filter of your dryer seems damp, it means the outside vent is clogged. You better clean it out before the machine breaks down.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.

Creative Cooking
By
Lydia Critchley

When cutting flowers from your garden, be sure and cut them only in the late evening or early morning. Have a bucket of water with you and use very sharp shears. After you cut the flowers, place the stem under water and cut the stem again on the diagonal, the stem will then take in water and not air.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.

Creative Cooking
By
Lydia Critchley